Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome – Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome is known as POTS for short. It is a disorder in which when attempting to stand from a seated position most of the blood will remain in your lower body. Because of this your heart rate immediately goes up.

In most people sitting or standing blood will flow at the same steady pace. This unusual change can cause dizziness, light headedness, and even fainting.

With POTS your heart can increase as much as 30 beast per minute causing your blood pressure to drop significantly. It can throw your balance out of wack and you may also experience bloating, belly pain, vomiting, nausea, blurry vision, diarrhea, constipation, brain fog, fatigue, chest pain, feeling hot, feeling cold, anxiety, headache, neck pain, insomnia, and even odd coloring in your hands or feet.

Symptoms may also occur at times other than just standing up. You may feel symptoms when you are in the shower, feeling stressed out, after eating, or just standing still like you do in a line at the grocery store.

Variations of POTS

POTS can develop for different reasons. You could have more than one kind.

Neuropathic.  damage to small fiber nerves that manage blood flow in your limbs and abdomen.

Hyperadrenergic.  higher levels of the stress hormone norepinephrine.

Hypovolemic.  low blood levels.

It can be genetic and women ages 15 to 50 are the target demographic. It can happen during pregnancy, after an infection, or post head injury. Additionally, it has also been linked to several diseases.

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Auto immune diseases
• Diabetes
• Ehlers-Danlos
• Mitral Valve Prolapse
• Anemia

Diagnosis:

This requires a tilt table test to diagnose. https://tampacardio.com/tilt-table-test/

Other tests that may be required include:

• Urine tests to measure your sodium levels and rule out other causes of your symptoms.
• Blood tests to check your kidneys, liver, and thyroid gland and to rule out other causes.
• EKG and/or echocardiogram to see how well your heart is pumping.
• Quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) to test the nerves that control sweating.
• Valsava maneuver to check the nerves that control your heart. You breathe out strongly through your mouth while holding your nose closed.
• Biopsy of your skin nerves. Your doctor will take a tiny sample for analysis under a microscope.
• Autonomic breathing test to measure your blood flow and pressure during exercise.

While there is no cure – there most certainly is help.

• Medication can be prescribed.
• Compression stockings can be worn.
• Diet can be modified.
• Exercise may be recommended to build the heart muscle and strengthen the body.
• Get enough sleep 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, we invite you to schedule a consultation with the physicians of Tampa Cardiovascular Associates in Tampa, Florida. www.tampacardio.com 813-975-2800.