POTS

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) interferes with the quality of life for up to three million American adults and children. If you often feel faint or dizzy when standing up, you can find the treatment resources you need at Pediatric Healthy Hearts. In addition to diagnosing POTS, Nida Yousef, MD, and the medical specialists offer resources to help you prevent additional episodes of fainting or shortness of breath so you can live a physically active life. Call the Evergreen Park, Illinois, office today to schedule a POTS evaluation for yourself or your child, or book an appointment online.

What is POTS?

POTS is a disorder that causes dizziness, fainting (syncope), and other disorienting symptoms when you transition from lying down to standing up.

Typically, your autonomic nervous system controls your blood pressure and heart rate when you change positions. When you have POTS, your nerves aren’t able to coordinate the constriction of your blood vessels and your heart rate. This causes your blood pressure levels to become unstable and increases your heart rate.

While anyone can develop POTS, the condition is most common in females between the ages of 15 and 50. Other risk factors for POTS include pregnancy, head injury, autoimmune disease, or a history of severe infections.

Pediatric Healthy Hearts offers comprehensive diagnostic testing to confirm that your symptoms relate to POTS. The experienced cardiologists customize a care plan to relieve existing symptoms of POTS and prevent additional episodes of dizziness and fainting.

When should I seek medical care for POTS?

Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Pediatric Healthy Hearts if you experience persistent or recurring symptoms of POTS when standing up from a seated or lying down position. These symptoms can include:

• Forgetfulness
• Brain fog
• Fatigue
• Excessive sweating
• Heart palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Nervousness or anxiousness

POTS can also cause your skin to appear pale or discolored, especially in your arms and other areas that sit below your heart.

You might notice that your POTS symptoms worsen when you get overheated, if you stand for a long time, or when you engage in strenuous physical activity. Adolescent girls and women may also experience more severe POTS symptoms during their period.

The cardiologists can diagnose POTS and rule out other conditions through routine heart screenings. They may also request a tilt table test to measure your blood pressure and heart rate when you transition your body into different positions.

How is POTS treated?

There’s no cure for POTS, but with lifestyle changes, the Pediatric Healthy Hearts providers can help you manage the condition in the long term.

They may recommend strategies, including:

• Nutritional counseling
• Increasing fluid intake
• Use of compression socks
• Daily low-impact exercise like walking and yoga

Some people may benefit from beta blockers or other medications that slow their heart rate and provide relief from dizziness and fainting.

Call Pediatric Healthy Hearts today to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for POTS symptoms. You can also book an appointment for yourself or your family online.