POTS: Understanding Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) affects an estimated 166,000 people in Germany. This disorder of the autonomic nervous system causes symptoms primarily when standing up.
POTS: Understanding Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. An estimated 0.2 percent of the population in Germany, approximately 166,000 individuals, are affected, though the actual number may be higher.
Causes and Triggers POTS often emerges following viral infections and has also been noted as a symptom associated with Long Covid. Other potential triggers include accidents, major surgeries, or pregnancy.
What is POTS? POTS is a form of dysautonomia, where the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions like breathing, digestion, and heart rate, malfunctions. In POTS, the body struggles to adequately adjust its blood circulation when moving to an upright position, leading to orthostatic intolerance. This typically results in a significant increase in heart rate, dizziness, and lightheadedness upon standing.
Symptoms The primary symptom of POTS involves circulatory issues experienced when sitting or standing. These can manifest as rapid heartbeat, dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, and occasional fainting spells. A key diagnostic indicator is a heart rate increase of over 30 beats per minute (or reaching at least 120 bpm) when moving from a lying to a standing position, as measured by tests like the Schellong test. Other reported symptoms include difficulty concentrating, muscle pain, reduced exercise tolerance, shakiness, fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems.