Post by Anna Roan on May 3, 2014 22:18:26 GMT
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is defined as an abnormal increase in heart rate on becoming upright. There are many causes. Although blood pressure does not necessarily fall, symptoms are similar to low blood pressure and can consist of dizziness, fainting, headache, sweating, shakiness, nausea, poor concentration and memory, discoloured hands and feet, sense of anxiety, chest pains and many others - mostly worse when standing. Treatment can consist of high fluid intake, care with posture, careful fitness training and, in some patients, high salt intake and medication.
Diagnostic Criteria for POTS
1 Sustained heart rate increase of 30 beats per minute or more within 10 minutes of standing or head up tilt (40 beats per minute at age 12-19) in the absence of orthostatic hypotension.
2 Standing heart rate is often 120 beats per minute or more within 10 minutes of standing or head up tilt.
3 Orthostatic tachycardia may be accompanied by symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion and autonomic overactivity that are relieved by decumbency.
4 Criteria not applicable for low resting heart rate.
It is not a new illness, but POTS was only recently clearly described. It has had several different names in the past 150 years, such as mitral valve prolapse syndrome and orthostatic tachycardia. There is now increasing recognition and interest in POTS and research is being undertaken to help to understand and treat this condition.
www.patient.co.uk/health/postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome
If you have anything to add or need to correct anything feel free to post about it!
Diagnostic Criteria for POTS
1 Sustained heart rate increase of 30 beats per minute or more within 10 minutes of standing or head up tilt (40 beats per minute at age 12-19) in the absence of orthostatic hypotension.
2 Standing heart rate is often 120 beats per minute or more within 10 minutes of standing or head up tilt.
3 Orthostatic tachycardia may be accompanied by symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion and autonomic overactivity that are relieved by decumbency.
4 Criteria not applicable for low resting heart rate.
It is not a new illness, but POTS was only recently clearly described. It has had several different names in the past 150 years, such as mitral valve prolapse syndrome and orthostatic tachycardia. There is now increasing recognition and interest in POTS and research is being undertaken to help to understand and treat this condition.
www.patient.co.uk/health/postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome
If you have anything to add or need to correct anything feel free to post about it!