What is POTS, and how do you know if you have it?

Written by:

Janet Hosey

Feeling lightheaded or dizzy after standing up is a fairly common experience.

Everyone at some point has probably experienced this drop in blood pressure, called orthostatic hypotension. It happens because blood tends to pool in our legs as we sit, and when we stand and our body takes a beat to compensate.

There is another condition that can cause lightheadedness upon standing: postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and its symptoms are not as easily resolved.

One of the main symptom of POTS, besides palpitations, is lightheadedness, mainly after standing from lying down, because of decreased blood flow to the brain after standing.

Other symptoms of POTS can include:

Heart palpitations
Rapid heartbeat within 10 minutes of standing
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Brain fog
Fatigue
Insomnia
Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, bloating, diarrhea or constipation
Headaches

There are five subtypes of POTS, which may overlap in one individual, half of which are triggered by viral infections.

There are likely multiple causes of this autonomic nervous system syndrome, including viral infections like COVID-19, major surgery, pregnancy or trauma. Many female patients report more severe symptoms around the time of menstruation.

Caroline Ball, MD

Cardiologist with Endeavor Health

POTS is more common in women than men, and primarily affects people between ages 15 and 50. POTS is estimated to affect between 1 and 3 million people in the United States.

“Treatment plans differ based on the severity of the symptoms,” Dr. Ball said. “While there is no cure for POTS at this time, many people see improvement in symptoms with treatment.”

There are certain drugs that can help treat the condition, and physicians may recommend lifestyle changes such as drinking more water, increasing sodium intake or wearing compression garments.

There are a number of tests doctors use to diagnose POTS. They may monitor a person’s blood pressure while lying down, sitting and standing; test thyroid function through blood tests; and test heart function with a 24-hour monitor, echocardiogram and electrocardiogram.

If you experience symptoms of POTS, make an appointment with your primary care physician.

Take the next step

Want to learn more about what you’ve read or find care?

Schedule an appointmentFind a cardiologistExplore heart care

Take the next step

Related Articles

Get health insights directly from our experts