What is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)?

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition that affects circulation (blood flow). It involves the autonomic nervous system (which automatically controls and regulates vital bodily functions) and sympathetic nervous system (which activates the fight or flight response).

POTS is a form of orthostatic intolerance, the development of symptoms that come on when standing up from a reclining position, and that may be relieved by sitting or lying back down. The primary symptom of an orthostatic intolerance is lightheadedness, fainting and an uncomfortable, rapid increase in heartbeat.

Heart rate and blood pressure work together to keep the blood flowing at a healthy pace, no matter what position the body is in. People with POTS can’t coordinate the balancing act of blood vessel squeeze and heart rate response. This means the blood pressure can’t be kept steady and stable.

Each case of POTS is different. POTS patients may see symptoms come and go over a period of years. In most cases, with adjustments in diet, medications and physical activity, a person with POTS will see an improvement in quality of life. And POTS symptoms may subside if an underlying cause is found and treated.

There are various forms of POTS. The most common are:

• Neuropathic POTS: Peripheral denervation (loss of nerve supply) leads to poor blood vessel muscles, especially in the legs and core body.
• Hyperadrenergic POTS: Overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system.
• Low blood volume POTS: Reduced blood volume can lead to POTS. Low blood volume can cause similar symptoms that may overlap in neuropathic and hyperadrenergic POTS.

Who is at risk for POTS?

The majority of POTS patients are women ages 13-50 years old. About 1 to 3 million people suffer from POTS in the United States.

• Patients may develop POTS after a viral illness, serious infections, medical illness, pregnancy and trauma such as head injury. The condition may develop as aftermath of a significant illness (especially associated with hospitalization and prolonged immobilization).
• POTS may develop in those who have had a recent history of mononucleosis.
• People with certain autoimmune conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome and celiac disease can be at higher risk. Sjogren’s can be evaluated by blood testing, dry eye test, lip biopsy and rheumatology consult. Celiac disease can be tested through blood work, gastroenterology consult and if needed biopsies of the small intestines.

SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES

What are the symptoms of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)?

POTS symptoms can be uncomfortable and frightening experiences. Patients with POTS usually suffer from two or more of the many symptoms listed below. Not all patients with POTS have all these symptoms.

• High blood pressure/low blood pressure.
• High/low heart rate; racing heart rate.
• Chest pain.
• Dizziness/lightheadedness especially in standing up, prolonged standing in one position, or long walks.
• Fainting or near-fainting.
• Exhaustion/fatigue.
• Abdominal pain and bloating, nausea.
• Temperature deregulation (hot or cold).
• Nervous, jittery feeling.
• Forgetfulness and trouble focusing (brain fog).
• Blurred vision.
• Headaches and body pain/aches (may feel flu-like); neck pain.
• Insomnia and frequent awakenings from sleep, chest pain and racing heart rate during sleep, excessive sweating.
• Shakiness/tremors especially with adrenaline surges.
• Discoloration of feet and hands.
• Exercise intolerance.
• Excessive or lack of sweating.
• Diarrhea and/or constipation.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS

How is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) diagnosed?

POTS can be difficult to diagnose due to so many symptoms occurring in the body over time. Before diagnosis of POTS, various symptoms may lead patients to try many doctors. Patients with POTS may have symptoms for months to years before finally being diagnosed with the condition.

A tilt table test is the gold standard of POTS diagnosis. The tilt table measures your heart rate and blood pressure as you change posture and position.

Besides the tilt table, other testing may be done for POTS:

• Blood and urine test for causes of POTS and conditions that mimic POTS.
• QSART (a test that measures the autonomic nerves that control sweating).
• Autonomic breathing test (to measure how your blood rate and pressure respond during exercise).
• TST (tuberculin skin test).
• Skin nerve biopsy.
• Echocardiogram.
• Blood volume with hemodynamic studies.

MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT

How is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) treated?

• Medications like salt tablets, fludrocortisone, pyridostigmine, midodrine, and/or a beta blocker may be prescribed to help control POTS.
• You may be prescribed thigh-high medical compression stockings. These stockings help push the blood up from the legs to reduce POTS symptoms.
• You should obtain a blood pressure monitor to check blood pressure and pulse. Blood pressure monitors may be purchased at most drug stores, online or at a medical supply store. Have your blood pressure monitor checked at your doctor’s office to make sure your machine’s readings correlate with your doctor’s blood pressure readings.
• Although the heart is healthy in most POTS patients, you may be evaluated to enter a cardiac rehab program. This exercise template uses the cardiac rehab model to recondition and help improve health and control POTS. Some of the best data for treating POTS comes from cardiac rehab.

What are everyday ways to help manage POTS?

Diet and nutrition

• Increase sodium in your diet to 3,000 mg to 10,000 mg per day.
• Drink 2-2.5 liters per day of fluids. Water is a good choice. Sports drinks are OK, but watch calories and if you have food sensitivities to these drinks’ ingredients.
• Small and frequent meals are better tolerated and reduce POTS symptoms.
• Diet with high fiber and complex carbohydrates may help reduce blood glucose (sugar) spikes and lessen POTS symptoms.
• Keep your nutrition balanced with protein, vegetables, dairy and fruits.
• Plan meals as POTS patients may occasionally not have stamina for grocery shopping and preparing meals. Plan meals when your energy is at its peak. If possible, make it a family plan to prepare food and share grocery shopping responsibilities.
• Don’t over-rely on processed foods. Processed foods are easy to prepare and are appealing when you have reduced energy, but usually have less nutritional value.
• Beneficial salty snacks may include chicken or beef broth, vegetable broth, pickles, olives, salted fish like sardines/anchovies and nuts. Don’t over-rely on snack chips and crackers for salt.
• Plan grocery store shopping using a list to make sure you pick up healthy food choices and POTS care (hydration and salty supplements). If your stamina is reduced have someone help you shop, carry and put away your groceries.
• Health conditions can be costly. Do your best not to compromise nutrition and food choices to save money.
• You may need a dietary and nutrition consult ordered by your doctor to help you with your diet. This consult can be especially helpful for those with celiac and other dietary sensitivities.
• Often in early phase of POTS patients don’t like how their bodies feel and look. Be careful of fad diets or diet supplements for weight loss.

Monitoring POTS

Taking and writing down your vital information (blood pressure and pulse) can give you insight and better control over your POTS, and helps your doctor fine tune your treatment.

Check blood pressure and pulse at the same time daily (in the morning and after dinner). It’s very helpful to do this for the first few months of your diagnosis. Also check blood pressure and pulse when you aren’t feeling well.

Heart rate/pulse

Measuring heart rate can give you insight as you deal with POTS. Other facts about heart rate and POTS:

• A normal heart rate is between 60 to 100 beats per minute.
• A fast heart rate over 100 beats per minute can be a condition called tachycardia.
• A slow heart rate under 60 beats per minute is called bradycardia.
• High or low rates can cause symptoms of POTS.

Blood pressure

Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood in the blood vessels in the circulatory system. Blood pressure is related to the heart beating and the diameter and elasticity of the artery walls.

• Blood pressure has two components, systolic and diastolic. Blood pressure is recorded as systolic/diastolic. For example, a blood pressure reading of 120/80 represents the systolic number as 120 and the diastolic number as 80.
• The systolic refers to the amount of pressure in the arteries during the contraction of your heart muscles (heart beats). The diastolic refers to the blood pressure between heart beats.
• Normal blood pressure is between is 90-120 for systolic and 60-80 for diastolic.
• Many patients will have stable blood pressure readings since the adrenergic response to keep heart rate increased will reduce blood pressure drops.
• POTS patients can have moments of hypertension with the systolic over 140 or diastolic over 85. If hypertension occurs in many readings, inform your POTS specialist of these consistent readings of hypertension.
• Low blood pressure is below 90/60. Blood pressure logging that reveal low blood pressure readings can be helpful for POTS treatment.

Exercise and physical activity

Exercise and physical activity are key to managing POTS. Here are important things to know as you undergo an exercise program such as cardiac rehab, as well as other physical activities. Talk with your healthcare provider for specific instructions on these exercises.

• Isometric exercises involve contracting your muscles without actually moving your body. Isometrics squeeze the muscle and push the blood back toward the heart. They are simple to do and can be done lying in bed or seated in a comfortable chair. It’s a good idea to do these in bed before getting up to prepare your body for sitting and standing.
• Transition slowly with your body. Go from lying to sitting on the edge of the bed. Stay there for several minutes, allowing the body to naturally adjust to the change in position. Once you are standing, pause and wait before walking to allow blood pressure to adjust again. If you feel lightheaded at any point, wait for a few minutes in that position to see if it resolves. If not, then return to the prior position as your body isn’t adjusting properly. SLOWLY is the key.
• Begin a modest walking program. Count how many steps you can do without inducing symptoms. These steps are your initial baseline. Start with walking once a day and go a little further in time, distance or by adding steps. If you feel good, add a second walk in the day. A simple strategy for counting steps is to do 100- 300 steps per awakening hour during the day. Fitness trackers can monitor steps and distance easily. Every week or every few weeks add more steps to your daily total.
• Simple yoga with focusing on breathing may help reduce POTS symptoms.

As you do better with your POTS, more fitness and exercise regimens may be started.

Sleep

• Try to maintain a typical sleep schedule. Go to bed consistently at a certain time and set a consistent time to wake up. The best sleep hygiene and good rest comes from staying consistent with your sleep schedule every day. Even if you had a poor night of sleep, try to get up at your regular time. A consistent sleep schedule, even with a bad night’s sleep, helps you feel better in the long term.
• Excessive daytime napping may make nighttime sleep less restful.
• Most people need 7 to 10 hours sleep at night.
• Be aware of POTS symptoms of chest pain, sweating, restlessness and racing heart rate during bedtime. These symptoms interfere with sleep quality and may have to be addressed by your POTS specialist
• Avoid excessive television viewing or use of tablet/smartphone/computer in bed. These technologies can interfere with sleep quality.
• Raise the head of your bed 6-10 inches to help alleviate POTS symptoms. The entire bed must be at an angle. Raising the head of the bed will reduce urine formation overnight and increase fluid volume in your circulation in the morning. This may help you wake up more easily.
• Make sure the temperature is ideal in your bedroom to help you get proper rest.

LIVING WITH

How do I coordinate and organize my care with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)?

• Start a binder or folder containing your basic notes and testing results. Periodically review this binder to remove out-of-date data. As a rule, about 20-30 pages of pertinent medical data will help guide your POTS medical team most effectively.
• You’ll need a healthcare provider or primary care physician to go to for routine care and health wellness management. Your POTS specialist may ask you to see your healthcare provider periodically. Get copies of your medical visit notes from your healthcare provider — especially any additional testing results — to have in your record binder (see above).
• If you’re feeling very ill or something doesn’t feel right, you may need to go to the ER or Urgent Care immediately. If you call your POTS specialist you may be told to go to the ER or Urgent Care
• Be sure to follow up with your POTS specialist.

How do I cope emotionally with POTS?

• Be open and honest with loved ones and support groups about your diagnosis of POTS. Talk about your fears, hopes, struggles and challenges with the condition. Encourage the people who support you to learn more about POTS.
• Get enough sleep and eat well to help manage stress.
• Shared medical appointments and POTS support groups (either online or in person) will help reduce the feeling of being alone and different.
• Be careful with social media. Be mindful of the accuracy of any particular website’s data. Some POTS patients find comfort in social media. For others, social media can cause unnecessary and excessive stress and worry.
• Be very cautious of quick solutions from non-medical sources and people. Quick solutions usually don’t help POTS and can even cause more emotional distress.
• We recommend counseling to help you learn to cope with a chronic health condition. Counseling may help to control other co-existing mental health issues that may negatively influence POTS.
• Meditate or take even just a few minutes of a time-out to help reduce some of your POTS symptoms.
• Emotions can have a significant influence on your daily life and health. Identifying them can be useful if you are talking with a counselor or POTS support group.