What Is POTS? – HealthyWomen

What is POTS?

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition that causes your heart rate to increase more than 30 beats per minute and your blood pressure to drop when you stand up.

Basically, the disorder affects the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for regulating things like heartbeat and blood pressure. It may not seem that serious, but people with POTS can experience debilitating symptoms including tachycardia and extreme fatigue, among other chronic problems.

What are the symptoms of POTS?

In addition to an elevated or rapid heart rate, people with POTS may have a variety of symptoms. These may include:

• extreme fatigue
• Daze
• Brain fog, including concentration and memory problems.
• Nausea
• Headache attacks
• Perspiration
• Instability
• Exercise intolerance (inability to perform physical activity)
• a pale face
• Hands and feet dyed purple when lower than the heart.

POTS symptoms may worsen if you are exposed to heat (even taking a hot bath) or if you stand for a long time. Some women experience an increase in symptoms before their period begins, and these may worsen if you are not hydrated or need more salt in your diet.

What are the types of POTS?

There are three main subtypes of POTS. These are:

• Neuropathic: Small nerve fibers in the abdomen and legs have trouble transporting blood from the lower part of the body. This causes swelling in the legs, discoloration, and less blood flow to the organs around the stomach area can cause gastrointestinal problems.

• Hyperadrenergic: Standing up increases blood pressure and levels of norepinephrine (the fight or flight hormone). This makes you feel dizzy and short of breath, in addition to other symptoms.

• Hypovolemic: You have less blood in your system and fewer red blood cells. This can cause weak muscles and problems during exercise.

How is POTS diagnosed?

With all the different symptoms, it can be difficult to get a POTS diagnosis. For women and people assigned female at birth, the condition can be misdiagnosed for years and cause a significant delay in care. Investigation shows that women with POTS wait at least five years to receive a diagnosis, compared to three years for men.

Two common tests used to diagnose POTS are a 10-minute standing test and a head-up tilt table test. He the resistance test is More or less exactly what it sounds like: Your healthcare provider (HCP) will measure your blood pressure, heart rate, and other levels as you stand up from a relaxed position and continue standing for 10 minutes.

The head-up mosaic table sounds more like something out of a magic act: you are strapped to a lying table and the table is raised to an upright position. Your doctor will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and other levels to see if you may have POTS.

Other tests and blood tests may be ordered to look at the nerves that control the heart and sweating.

POTS Treatments

Since the exact cause of POTS is unknown, treatments may vary depending on symptoms. Treatment options to help control POTS may include:

• Add salt to your diet
• Stay hydrated and drink 64 to 80 ounces (2 to 2.5 liters) of fluid per day
• Wearing compression garments to push blood deeper into the veins.
• Taking medications, including beta-receptor blocking agents.
• Eat a diet rich in fiber
• Incorporate exercise (or start physical therapy if you have exercise intolerance), including isometric exercises to help push blood back to the heart

What are POTS medical devices?

You can monitor POTS at home to help you identify triggers and lifestyle changes that may help with symptoms. You may want to consider getting a:

• blood pressure monitor
• Monitor heartbeat
• finger pulse oximeter
• Smartwatch or smart ring to track your heart rate

POTS Self-Care Tips

In addition to diet and exercise, there are some things you can do to improve your overall well-being and minimize POTS symptoms.

• Get enough sleep
• Try yoga or meditation to work on breathing techniques.
• Join a POTS support group or consider counseling to talk about your condition

POTS can be difficult to diagnose and each case is different. If you experience dizziness, rapid heart rate, or any other symptoms of POTS, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Many people with POTS can control their symptoms with the right treatment plan.