Overview
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is a form of orthostatic intolerance involving an excessive sustained heart-rate increase with upright posture, associated symptoms, and no better explanation such as dehydration or acute blood loss.
What current evidence indicates
- POTS likely includes multiple mechanisms and subtypes involving autonomic function, blood volume and flow, immune factors, and other contributors.
- Diagnosis requires more than a heart-rate number: clinicians also look at symptoms, posture, duration, blood pressure, medicines, and alternative explanations: symptoms, duration, blood pressure response, medicines, and alternative causes matter.
- Current care is individualized and may include fluid and salt strategies when appropriate, compression, carefully tailored physical rehabilitation, and selected medications.
What remains uncertain
There is no single biomarker, cure, or standardized therapy. Many treatment studies are small, short, uncontrolled, or use inconsistent outcomes; stronger multicenter trials are needed.
Useful details for a clinical visit
- Heart rate and blood pressure lying and standing, if safely measured
- Symptoms triggered by upright posture, meals, heat, or exertion
- Medicines, hydration, anemia risk, and relevant coexisting conditions
Primary and authoritative sources
This summary provides general education and cannot determine whether you have this condition or which treatment is appropriate. Discuss symptoms, testing, and treatment decisions with a qualified clinician.
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