Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
A disorder of autonomic dysregulation characterized by a sustained heart rate increase upon standing.
POTS is one of the most common forms of dysautonomia. It is not a disease of the heart, but a failure of the autonomic nervous system to control blood flow against gravity.
What Happens Mechanically
In a healthy system, when you stand up, blood vessels in your legs constrict (tighten) to push blood up to your brain. In POTS, this signal is weak or missing.
Blood pools in the legs. The brain senses a lack of blood and panic-signals the heart to beat faster to compensate. The result is a racing heart, dizziness, and fatigue.
Common Symptoms
- Lightheadedness when standing
- Racing heart (tachycardia)
- Brain fog
- Exercise intolerance
Note: Conditions listed here are functional descriptions of autonomic states. Only a physician can provide a formal medical diagnosis.
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