What is POTS?
POTS (postural tachycardia syndrome) is a relatively common condition that affects how the body controls heart rate and blood flow when sitting or standing. When a person’s heart beats too quickly, it can lead to symptoms such as dizziness and fainting. This change is caused by the nervous system and is not usually linked to the heart itself.
The condition can vary from mild to more severe, however symptoms can often be managed well.
POTS tends to affect teenagers and younger adults, although it can happen at any age.
What causes POTS?
The exact cause of POTS isn’t always clear. It is thought to be linked to a problem with our autonomic nervous system, which controls automatic body functions, such as digestion, body temperature and sweating.
The symptoms of POTS often begin after a viral illness, including long COVID, and can be linked to some autoimmune conditions too. Some people find that hormonal changes such as menstruation can also make symptoms more noticeable.
What are the symptoms of POTS?
The symptoms of POTS can affect people at different times and are often more noticeable after being unwell.
Symptoms include:
• Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
• Shaking and sweating
• Shortness of breath
• Headache and feeling sick
• Fainting
These symptoms often improve when lying down. Other symptoms include:
• ‘Brain fog’, or having trouble thinking and making decisions
• Extreme tiredness, or feeling weak
• Vision problems, such as blurred vision
POTS can be a long term condition, but many people find their symptoms improve with changes to their diet and avoiding triggers, such as dehydration, stress and alcohol.
It can often go undiagnosed, so if you notice changes in heart rate, or dizziness when standing, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor.
