Experiences with
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS)

Check if it's postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS)

Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) affects everyone differently. Some people have mild symptoms, while for others it can have a big impact on their everyday lives.

Some symptoms happen when you stand up and can get better when you sit or lie down, such as:

dizziness or lightheadedness
noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations)
chest pain
shortness of breath
shaking and sweating
fainting or nearly fainting

You may also get other symptoms, such as:

problems with your stomach or digestion, such as feeling sick, being sick, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating and tummy pain
headaches and problems with your sight, such as blurred vision or tunnel vision
your hands and feet looking purple – this may be more difficult to see if you have brown or black skin
weakness and extreme tiredness (fatigue), not being able to do much exercise, and sleeping badly
problems with thinking, memory and concentration (brain fog)

You may find your symptoms are worse in the morning, and they may change from day to day.

Symptoms of PoTS can be similar to those of other conditions, such as low blood pressure. Having these symptoms does not mean you definitely have PoTS.

Causes of postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS)

It's not clear what causes postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS). It can develop suddenly or gradually over time.

You may be more likely to get PoTS if you have long covid, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), or joint hypermobility syndrome.

Some things can also make your symptoms worse, such as:

being in a hot place
standing or sitting upright for long periods of time
eating, especially refined carbohydrates like white bread
not drinking enough fluids
drinking alcohol
resting too much
exercise
being on your period
stress

you have symptoms of postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS)

How postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) is diagnosed

If you have symptoms of postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), a GP may check your blood pressure and heart rate before and after you stand up.

You may also have some blood tests and an electrocardiogram (ECG).

You may be referred to a specialist if:

making changes to your lifestyle does not help
you're very unwell
it's not clear what's causing your symptoms

The specialist may perform more tests, such as:

blood tests
pee (urine) tests
heart and blood pressure tests, such as an echocardiogram, ECG, and 24-hour blood pressure and heart rate monitoring
a tilt table test, where you lie on a flat bed that's tilted upwards so your heart rate can be monitored

It can take time for people to be diagnosed with PoTS, as the symptoms are similar to other conditions.

Treatments for postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS)

If you're diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), finding the right treatment for you can take time.

A GP or specialist may suggest lifestyle changes first, such as drinking more fluids, eating small meals low in refined carbohydrates, and wearing compression clothing.

You may be prescribed medicines to help control your symptoms, such as steroids, medicines used to treat heart conditions and manage your blood pressure, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

You may also need to try several different medicines or combinations of medicines.

Things you can do if you have postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS)

If you have postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), there are things you can try to help ease your symptoms.

If you suddenly feel faint or dizzy, you can try lying down and raising your legs until you feel better.

If you cannot lie down, you can try:

crossing your legs with 1 in front of the other while standing
rocking up and down on your toes
clenching your buttocks and tummy muscles
clenching your fists

Making changes to your lifestyle may also help with PoTS.

try to avoid the things that trigger your symptoms
drink plenty of fluids until your pee is pale
try gentle exercise, such as walking, pilates and swimming – be careful when exercising and stop if you have any symptoms
raise the head of your bed so you're not lying completely flat
wear support tights to improve blood flow

do not stand up for too long
do not get up too quickly after lying down – sit for a while before standing up
do not drink too much caffeine or alcohol

SymptomsCausesMedical treatmentsSelf-care

The main symptoms of postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) are dizziness, almost fainting and noticeable heartbeats when you stand up.

There's no clear cause of postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS). Some things can make symptoms worse, such as feeling hot or not drinking enough.

Treatment for postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) focuses on making lifestyle changes to control your symptoms. You may also be prescribed medicines.

There are things you can do to help postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) symptoms, such as lying down and raising your legs, or lifestyle changes.