Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS)
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 countering the fall in blood flow by:
- lying downand, if you can, raising your legs
- crossing your legs in front of each otherwhile standing, rocking up and down on your toes, clenching your buttocks and tummy muscles and/or clenching your fists if you're unable to lie down
Reducing your symptoms
You may be able toreduceyour symptomsin the long-term by following this advice:
- drink plenty of fluids until yoururine is pale yellow
- keep active, but pace yourself and choose your exercise wisely swimming, rowing, lower limb resistance training, walking, jogging and pilates can help you keep fit and build muscle (strong calf muscles should help pump blood back to your heart)
- elevate thehead end of your bed,so you're not sleepingfully horizontal
- try wearing support tights or other forms of compression clothing, to improve blood flow in your legs
- avoid long periods of standing
- come up from lying slowlysit for a while before standing
- avoid drinking lots of caffeine or alcohol
- include more salt in your dietthis isn'tadvisable if you have high blood pressure or kidney or heart disease though, so ask your specialist first
The PoTS UK website has more general advice about reducing your symptoms and the charitySTARS has information about managing your symptoms .
Medication
There's currently no medication licensed for the treatment of PoTS, but your specialist might suggest trying a medication"off label", such as:
- a beta-blocker or ivabradine which decreases the heart rate
- midodrine which narrows the blood vessels
- fludrocortisone which decreases the amount of sodium lost in your urine
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) a type of antidepressant that can affect how your nervous system works
If a medicine is used "off label",it means it hasn't undergone clinical trials for this use, but many experts believe it's likely to be effective and your doctor will discuss the possible benefits and risks with you.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
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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