With POTS, the heart rate increases dramatically with body position.
The diagnosis is based on an assessment of your blood pressure and pulse (heart rate).
The condition can cause a range of symptoms that may occur often, even on a daily basis.
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The most common symptoms of POTS include:
A POTS episode may look different for different people.
you’re able to experience any combination of these symptoms with POTS.
This may be described as exercise intolerance.
Normally, standing up causes blood to rush from the torso to the legs.
This sudden change means that less blood is immediately available for the heart to pump.
Sometimes, though, the body isn’t able to do this correctly.
If the blood pressure drops from standing and causes symptoms like lightheadedness, it is calledorthostatic hypotension.
If the blood pressure stays normal but the heart rate gets faster, it is called POTS.
POTS can affect young people who are otherwise healthy.
POTS can begin suddenly or gradually.
POTS can be associated with otherdysautonomia syndromes, like neurocardiogenic syncope.
Diagnosis
Your diagnostic evaluation will include a medical history, a physical examination, and diagnostic tests.
Normally, standing up increases the heart rate by 10 beats per minute or less.
Is POTS a mental illness?
Similar Conditions
You may not be able to tell you have POTS without a medical evaluation.
This is because there are many causes ofdysautonomia,syncope, and orthostatic hypotension.
Medications such asdiureticsorblood pressure medicationcan cause effects similar to those of POTS as well.
Fluids and Diet
Drinking non-caffeinated fluids can keep you hydrated.
You and your healthcare provider can calculate the right amount of fluids that you need each day.
Exercise Therapy
Exercise therapy can help your body learn to adjust to an upright position.
Studies have shown that patients with POTS on average have smaller cardiac chambers than those without.
Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to increased cardiac chamber size, slow heart rate and improve symptoms.
People with POTS have a normal life expectancy.
The condition is not associated with any life threatening complications and does not cause long-term health harms.
In people with POTS, symptoms occur because the heart rate increases dramatically with body position.
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