Postural orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome is a condition in which your body has trouble responding to sudden changes in position.When someone with POTS is standing, he will experience lightheadedness as well as a rapid spike in his heart rate, accompanied by other variable symptoms.You will need to see your doctor if you want to diagnose POTS.She can assess for the presence of other symptoms that may be present with a POTS diagnosis, as well as evaluate your vital signs.
Step 1: There are signs and symptoms that can accompany a POTS diagnosis.
A variety of other symptoms may be experienced by people with POTS.Unusual fatigue headaches, lightheadedness, and/or fainting, with or without chest pain, are included.
Step 2: If you have had recent events that may cause POTS, notice.
Infections such as mononucleosis can be a cause of POTS.Stress and pregnancy are commontriggers.POTS may occur without an observable triggering.There are a number of studies that show POTS with cardiovascular deconditioning.
Step 3: Know who is at greater risk.
Women, people between the ages of 12 and 50, and people who have been exposed to stress are at an increased risk of developing POTS.People taking multiple medications are more likely to notice symptoms.The signs and symptoms of POTS may be worsened by certain blood pressure and heart related medications.
Step 4: Your doctor will need a list of your drugs.
As you prepare for your visit with your physician, it is important to have a list of all your current medications on hand, including the names of the medications, the doses, and the reason you are taking each one.Your past medical history should include any surgeries or hospitalizations from your past, as well as any ongoing health concerns that you have suffered from.This information will help your doctor understand your whole health history better, so that he can evaluate your risk of POTS and move forward with diagnostic testing.
Step 5: Measure your heart rate while sitting and standing.
POTS is a nervous system disorder in which your heart rate spikes when standing.When you are resting, your doctor will need to measure your heart rate.After one or two minutes, your doctor will measure your heart rate again.If your heart rate goes up by 30 beats per minute or more, you have POTS.
Step 6: You should have your blood pressure measured as well.
Your doctor will want to measure your blood pressure as well as your heart rate.This is to rule out a condition called "orthostatic hypotension", which is when your blood pressure drops when you stand.If your blood pressure is more of a problem than your heart rate, your doctor will need to measure it while you sit, and again after you stand up.If you have POTS and not orthostatic hypotension, your blood pressure should not go up when you stand up.If your resting heart rate is over 120 BPM, this is also a sign of POTS.
Step 7: Children and adolescents have different heart rate criteria.
In order to be diagnosed with POTS, children and adolescents must increase their heart rate by at least 40 beats per minute when they transition from sitting to standing.
Step 8: Receive a tilt table test.
If you want to be diagnosed with POTS, your doctor can either measure your heart rate sitting and standing or use the "tilt table test."This exam is longer and more detailed.It takes up to 90 minutes to do the complex version.The tilt table test is where you lie on a table and change positions.You are attached to machines that can continuously monitor your vital signs, including heart rate and rhythm, and blood pressure.Your doctor can use the results to diagnose POTS or other heart related conditions.
Step 9: Discuss the other tests with your doctor.
There are more than one test that can be used to aid in the diagnosis of POTS.A cold pressor test, sweat tests, and a catecholamine test are some of the things your doctor may suggest.POTS is a heterogeneous disorder, meaning that it can manifest in a variety of ways and have different underlying causes.Your doctor's assessment of your case will determine the best set of tests to confirm your POTS diagnosis.
Step 10: POTS can affect your quality of life.
25% of people with POTS have impaired quality of life like someone who is officially categorized as disabled.This includes not being able to work, as well as possible difficulty with day-to-day tasks such as bathing, eating, walking, or standing; however, while some people with POTS suffer from a reduced quality of life, others can live normally.From case to case, the progess for POTS is very variable.Approximately 50% of patients recover in two to five years after being exposed to POTS.If you have been diagnosed with POTS, your doctor can give you information that is specific to you, as well as work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan.Depending on the type of POTS you have, your overall health history, the underlying cause of your disorder, and the constellation of symptoms that you are experiencing, you can expect to live a long and healthy life.Dehydration and increasing activity are non-pharmacological measures for the treatment of POTS.There are no long term studies on the efficacy of medications to treat POTS and all medication is used off label.