Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS)

Tests for PoTS

A diagnosis of PoTS is made if your heart rate increases by 30 beats per minute (bpm)or more(40bpm in those aged 12-19)after10 minutes of standing, or if it increases to more than 120bpm.

You may have arange of teststo confirm a diagnosis and rule out other conditions, including:

the tilt table testyour heart rate and blood pressure are measured while lying on a bed, and the bed is then tilted into a more upright position while further measurements are taken
the active stand testyour heart rate and blood pressure are measured after lying down, immediately upon standing, and after 2, 5 and 10 minutes
an electrocardiogram (ECG) a test ofyour heart's electrical activity
an echocardiogram an ultrasound scan of your heart
24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate monitoring small devices attached to your belt take regular readings while you're doing normal activities
blood tests to testyour kidney, liver and thyroid function, and measure blood count andyour calcium and glucose levels

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018

Articles for postural tachycardia syndrome (pots)

Introduction

Find out about postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), an abnormal increase in heart rate that occurs after sitting up or standing.

What happens in PoTS

Normally when you sit up or stand, gravity pulls some of your blood down to your belly area, hands andfeet. In response, your blood vessels quickly narrow and your heart rate increases slightly to ma

Symptoms of PoTS

You can develop PoTS suddenly, or it can come on gradually over time. It causes a range of symptoms that occur within a few minutes of sitting up or standing. Lying down may relieve some of the sympt

When to get medical advice

See your GP if you think you have PoTS. Thesymptoms can have a number of causes, such as medication or low blood pressure , so it's a good idea to get a proper diagnosis. Sometimes it can be misdiagn

Tests for PoTS

A diagnosis of PoTS is made if your heart rate increases by 30 beats per minute (bpm)or more(40bpm in those aged 12-19)after10 minutes of standing, or if it increases to more than 120bpm. You may hav

Treatments for PoTS

Self-care measures can sometimes help reduce the symptoms of PoTS. If these don't work, you may need to take medication. Treating an episode If you suddenly feel faint or dizzy, you can try counteri

Causes of PoTS

In many cases,the cause of the problem with thenervous system in people with PoTS is unknown. Teenagers will sometimes develop PoTSand find it gradually disappears a few years later. Sometimes it can

More information and advice

The followingorganisations canprovide more information, support and advice for people with PoTS. POTS UK Syncope Trust And Reflex anoxic Seizures (STARS)

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