POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome)

Overview

POTS often starts after a virus, pregnancy, or injury.

Symptoms include racing heart, dizziness, fatigue, and brain fog on standing.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Racing heart and dizziness on standing
• Dizzy or lightheaded when standing up
• Racing or pounding heartbeat

Less common

• Brain fog
• Tiredness
• Shaking
• Feeling faint after meals

Look up a symptom: Dizziness · Fatigue · Racing or pounding heartbeat

When to get medical care

Causes

Nervous system.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.

Who is more likely to get it

• Young women
• After COVID

Possible complications

• Fainting (syncope): From blood pooling in the legs

Diagnosis

Standing test.

Tests

Tests, if needed:

• Tilt test:

Treatment

Manage.

Self-care

• Drink 2 to 3 liters of fluids
• Add salt if advised
• Compression stockings
• Recumbent exercise

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a cardiologist (heart doctor).

Living with it

Support groups and helplines

• American Heart Association: Plain-language heart information and a support network for patients.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Young women: Most common.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Improves over time.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

What to bring

• A list of your medicines and supplements
• Notes on when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse

Questions to ask

• Would medicines help?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome)