Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)

If your child has been diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), you're probably wondering what it is – and what it means? Our team is here to walk you and your family through the condition and support you through the diagnosis. And the good news is that POTS symptoms in kids and teens often disappear over time.

What is POTS?

POTS is a condition named for an unusual jump in the heart's beating speed that happens when a person stands.

Postural: This means related to the position of your body.
Orthostatic: This means related to standing upright.
Tachycardia: This means an increased heart rate.
Syndrome: A group of symptoms.

POTS can make someone feel faint or dizzy when they stand up because it affects things like heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing and can happen in children and adults.

What causes POTS?

In POTS, the autonomic nervous system doesn't work in the usual way, so the blood vessels don't tighten enough to make sure there is enough blood flow to the brain. To try to keep enough blood flowing to the brain, the autonomic nervous system makes the heart beat a lot faster instead.

Why Does the Heart Rate Go Up?

When you stand up, your heart rate usually goes up a little. It's like your body's way of making sure enough blood gets to your brain and heart. But in people with POTS, their heart rate goes up a lot more than it should. This happens because of a few things:

Low blood volume: There's not enough hydration in their body causing a low amount of blood volume.
Blood pooling: Blood collects below the heart when they stand.
Hormones: Some hormones (like adrenaline) make the heart beat faster.

POTS might first be noticed after a viral infection or an injury. But it's hard to tell if one of these caused POTS or just happened around the same time that POTS became a problem. Research to learn more about the cause of POTS is underway.

What are POTS symptoms?

POTS is a group of symptoms that happen when you stand up. These symptoms include:

Feeling lightheaded(sometimes leading to fainting).
Feeling tired.
Not being able to handle exercise well.
Seeing things blurry.
Feeling your heart beat faster (we call it palpitations).
Sometimes, your body might shake (that's called a tremor).
You might feel nauseous (like you want to throw up).
Redness or purple coloring in the lower legs.
Feeling dizzy, like everything is spinning.

There are also some symptoms that can happen without standing, including:

Having headaches.
Sweating without a cause, such as exercise or warm weather.
Having trouble thinking and concentrating (people call it “brain fog”).
Trouble sleeping or unable to sleep (insomnia).
Unexplained weakness

Who Gets POTS?

POTS most often affects females
It's more common when one or both parents had it.
It often begins in the early or mid-teens.

How do doctors know when you have POTS?

If the doctor suspects your child has POTS, the medical team will look for reasons that the autonomic nervous system doesn't respond normally to standing. Tests may include:

10-Minute Standing Test: They check how your heart rate changes when you stand.
Tilt Table Test: You lie on a special table that tilts, and they watch how your heart responds.

To make sure the problem isn't due to anything besides the autonomic nervous system tests might be done on other parts of the body. These might check the blood, heart, brain, eyes, ears, kidneys, muscles, nerves, hormones, digestive tract, and more. Typically, a diagnosis of POTS is confirmed when symptoms have lasted for several months and no other causes are found.

What Can Help?

Eating Well: A good diet.
Medicines: Special medicines.
Physical Therapy: Exercises to help your body.
Other treatments your doctor may recommend

Remember, POTS is a condition where your body doesn't handle standing up very well. But with the right care, you can manage it and feel better!

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Síndrome de taquicardia postural ortostática

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