POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome)

Have you ever heard of POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome)?

It’s especially common in teens and young adults, but many people have never heard of it. It can also begin later in life.

POTS isn’t “just a fast heart rate.”

It’s an orthostatic disorder: symptoms appear or worsen when upright and often improve when lying down. The heart rate increases excessively with standing, typically without a significant drop in blood pressure.

Common symptoms include:

🔹 Lightheadedness, palpitations, brain fog

🔹 Headache, fatigue, blurred or fading vision

🔹 Nausea, shakiness, chest discomfort

🔹 Near-fainting; some people faint

Symptoms can worsen with heat, hot showers, prolonged standing, dehydration, illness, stress, or menstruation.

Many patients also experience GI symptoms, sleep problems, headaches, bladder symptoms, and color changes in the hands or feet when upright.

The impact can be profound, affecting school, work, social life, and quality of life.

Most importantly: the symptoms are real, even when they’re invisible.

I’ll talk more about POTS next month. 🫀

#POTS #Dysautonomia #OrthostaticIntolerance