Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

Treatments for PoTS

Source: NHS

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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:

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.

Articles for Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

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

Introduction

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

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)

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

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

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

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