What is POTS?

​People with POTS often feel lightheaded or dizzy when standing up from a lying or sitting position.  Their heart tends to race.  They may even faint.  Other symptoms can include extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, and trouble thinking.  Learn more about POTS in this article.

What is POTS?
By Pierre Mouchette | Bits-n-Pieces

Learn to Spot This Mysterious Condition
A condition called POTS can have a considerable impact on a person’s life.  People with POTS often feel lightheaded or dizzy when standing up from a lying or sitting position.  Their heart tends to race.  They may even faint.  Other symptoms can include extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, and trouble thinking.  Yes, POTS can be debilitating.  It can make it hard to do everyday activities, like attending work or school.  Some people even require a wheelchair because they cannot stand or walk for long periods.
POTS is an abbreviation for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.  Postural means it is linked to your body’s position.  Orthostatic is related to standing.  Tachycardia means rapid heart rate.  And syndrome means it is a group of symptoms.
Usually, when a person stands up, gravity pulls blood down toward the legs and feet.  It briefly reduces blood flow to the upper body, including the heart and brain.  So, the brain immediately sends signals that tighten the body’s lower blood vessels and make the heart pump faster.  It pushes blood upward so that it can travel throughout the body.  But for people with POTS, these signals break down.  The lower blood vessels do not tighten enough upon standing, and the heart beats much faster.  The brain and other organs may not get enough blood, leading to fainting and other symptoms.
POTS can affect anyone at any age, but it is most common among women ages 15 to 50.  Its causes are unknown. But, researchers suspect there can be different causes, and each might require various treatments.  Some data suggest that POTS may arise after major surgery, head injury, pregnancy, or viral illness.
POTS can be diagnosed by looking at your symptoms, heart rate, and blood pressure from lying down to standing.  Adults might have POTS if their heart rate rises by more than 30 beats a minute within 10 minutes of standing without a significant blood pressure change.  For those under age 20, an increase of at least 40 beats a minute without a substantial blood pressure change could signal POTS.  Symptoms may quickly improve by lying down.
Treatment often involves increasing salt intake and drinking plenty of water, which can boost blood volume.  Blood volume is the total amount of fluid circulating throughout your body.  Some patients benefit from medications that help to raise blood pressure or reduce heart rate.  Compression socks can help keep blood from pooling in the legs.  Exercise training and maintaining a regular sleep schedule may also help.
Many people, even some health care providers, have never heard of POTS.  However, awareness has increased in recent years, mainly since POTS has been seen in patients who have had COVID-19.  The links between POTS and COVID-19 are still unclear, and researchers are working to learn more.
Despite increased awareness of POTS, it can be challenging for some patients to get a diagnosis.  If you have symptoms that look like they could fit with POTS, it is a good idea to discuss the possibility with your doctor.