Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

The Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) topic includes research on the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of POTS, a condition that affects how the body controls blood flow and blood pressure upon standing. The topic also includes research on neurogenic orthostatic hypotension.

POTS is part of a group of disorders that involve orthostatic intolerance. Symptoms of orthostatic intolerance, which often include rapid heart rate, dizziness, or fainting, happen because not enough blood flows back to the heart when the person moves from a lying down or seated position to standing up. POTS may also cause exhaustion, headaches, blurred vision or tunnel vision, weakness in the legs, chest pain or other pain, fatigue, sleep problems, digestive issues, shortness of breath, and difficulty concentrating.

Diagnosing POTS can be challenging because its symptoms often resemble other conditions. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and the need to see specialists, such as cardiologists or neurologists. Scientists still do not know what causes POTS. Current treatments focus on managing low blood volume and problems with blood flow.