Identifying POTS Syndrome Symptoms: What to Look Out For

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, known by its abbreviation, POTS, is a chronic autonomic disorder that affects the heart rate and blood flow regulation. Changing positions from lying down to standing up is characterized by a marked increase in heart rate (tachycardia). The heart rate may rise by 30 beats per minute or more within 10 minutes of standing for individuals with POTS. It can even reach a heart rate of 120 beats per minute.

According to the British Heart Foundation, this syndrome is caused by a problem in the autonomic nervous system. This system is referred to as the “unconscious control system of the body,” in which it’s in charge of important functions like breathing and heart rate. Some people feel like this condition affects their quality of life, while some have mild symptoms. Moreover, this condition can occur in people regardless of age and gender, but it’s more common in women. Here are 10 potential symptoms that you might have to confirm that you have POTS:

Sleep disturbances

Many individuals with POTS report difficulties with sleep, even though sleep disturbances aren’t among the diagnostic criteria for the condition. With that being said, sleep disturbances can affect your overall well-being and quality of life. You may experience insomnia when you have POTS. Several factors may be evident for you to deal with insomnia, such as racing thoughts, physical discomfort, anxiety, or the presence of other symptoms related to POTS.

On the other hand, POTS symptoms such as palpitations, frequent trips to the bathroom, or tachycardia can result in sleep fragmentation. These symptoms can prevent you from achieving restorative and deep sleep. Moreover, irregular sleep-wake patterns and difficulties with sleep timing may be the result when the dysregulation of autonomic functions in POTS can affect your body’s circadian rhythm or internal clock. However, it’s important to note that not all individuals with POTS may experience issues related to sleep.

Temperature regulation issues

POTS results in difficulties in tolerating hot or cold environments and abnormal sweating patterns because it affects the ability of your body to temperature properly. Numerous individuals with the condition experience intensified heat sensitivity. Even mild increases in temperature can cause discomfort, lightheadedness, and excessive sweating. Prolonged exposure to hot or heat environments can increase fatigue and worsen symptoms related to POTS.

On the other hand, some individuals with POTS may face difficulty tolerating cold temperatures. For instance, you may feel excessively cold, despite being in mild or moderate environments. When blood vessels narrow to conserve heat which results in cold hands and feet, this is the impact of cold tolerance leading to vasoconstriction. You may also experience excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis, even in cool or minimal exertion environments. But it’s still possible to experience irregular patterns of sweating as well.

Headaches

Individuals who have POTS can experience severe headaches that can be accompanied by other symptoms such as sensitivity to light or sound, visual disturbances, and nausea. Factors like stress, hormonal fluctuations, and changes in blood flow can trigger POTS-related migraines. While tension-type headaches are characterized by a dull, aching pain that can be felt on both sides of the head. They’re often described as a pressure or tight band around the head.

You can experience muscle tension, stress, or postural changes that can trigger tension-type headaches associated with POTS. When assuming an upright position and often relieved when lying down, orthostatic headaches can specifically occur. These headaches can be related to changes in blood flow or intracranial pressure that occur with postural changes if you have POTS.

Palpitations

You may already be familiar with palpitations if you feel too energized after drinking your daily dose of caffeine. This is because palpitations usually refer to the sensation or awareness of the heartbeat. So if you’re having palpitations, you may feel a pounding, irregular, or rapid heartbeat. Palpitations are often related to the dysregulation of autonomic function and heart rate.

When you have POTS, your heart rate can significantly increase. It may rise by 30 beats per minute or more within 10 minutes of standing, reaching a heart rate of 120 beats per minute or even higher. The rapid increase in your heart rate can lead to palpitations, making you more aware of your rapid heartbeat. Moreover, POTS can disrupt normal heart rate variability. This can lead to an erratic or irregular heartbeat, contributing to palpitations and the sensation that your heart is skipping beats.

Brain Fog

Brain Fog can include problems with memory, concentration, memory clarity, and overall cognitive function since it refers to a subjective feeling of cognitive difficulties. POTS can result in reduced blood flow to the brain since it involves dysregulation of circulation and blood flow. The impact of inadequate cerebral blood flow can lead to decreased nutrient supply to the brain and oxygen, eventually contributing to brain fog and cognitive difficulties.

Since POTS is characterized by dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system, this controls various bodily functions, including blood flow to the brain. Neural signaling and neurotransmitter levels can be affected by autonomic dysfunction in POTS, eventually contributing to cognitive impairment. Moreover, if you have lower blood volume, it can be difficult for the body to maintain adequate circulation to the brain. Reduced oxygen and nutrient supply to the brain can be the result of insufficient blood volume.

Tachycardia

This is one of the hallmark symptoms of POTS, which refers to an abnormally rapid heart rate. Tachycardia specifically occurs upon assuming an upright position in POTS. This condition can disrupt heart rate variability, referring to the natural variations in the intervals between heartbeats. Heart rate and its abnormal fluctuations can include irregular heart rhythms, rapid heart rate, and an overall elevated heart rate at rest.

POTS also regulates various involuntary bodily functions, including heart rate, when associated with autonomic nervous system dysfunction. The autonomic dysfunction in POTS can contribute to tachycardia since it can lead to abnormal regulation of heart rate.

Orthostatic intolerance

This can be a potential symptom of POTS. Orthostatic intolerance refers to difficulties maintaining adequate blood flow and blood pressure to the brain and other organs when assuming an upright position. For instance, you may experience lightheadedness or dizziness when standing up if you have the syndrome. Due to inadequate blood flow to the brain, the symptom can range from mild to severe, leading to transient cerebral hypoperfusion.

POTS can even increase the temporary loss of consciousness through the risk of syncope. You may encounter episodes of fainting or near-fainting, specifically when standing during prolonged periods or postural changes. The rapid drop in blood pressure and insufficient blood flow to the brain can trigger these episodes.

Fatigue

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, people with POTS can have trouble thinking straight or concentrating. You may feel like you’ve run a marathon when doing simple tasks. But keep in mind that this fatigue may come and go. It may hit you without warning less frequently, weekly, or even daily. Extreme fatigue may last for days for some people.

The continuous effort required is physically taxing to maintain adequate blood flow and compensate for the cardiovascular abnormalities in POTS. Your body has to work harder to overcome the orthostatic challenge of upright posture, leading to intensified fatigue. Additionally, POTS is often associated with medical conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), autoimmune disorders, or fibromyalgia which can cause fatigue. Increased fatigue can be felt when you have POTS due to the presence of these comorbid conditions.

Exercise intolerance

Exercise intolerance refers to a reduced ability to engage in physical activity or exercise without experiencing disproportionate symptoms. You may have a rapid and excessive increase in heart rate during physical exertion, known as an abnormal heart rate response to exercise. During exercise, the heart rate may rise significantly higher than expected or fail to regulate appropriately, causing symptoms such as dizziness or palpitations.

Also, your condition can result in blood pressure fluctuations during exercise. You may experience a drop in blood pressure, leading to inadequate blood flow to the brain and other organs. Moreover, you can experience prolonged recovery periods following exercise. This means it would be longer for your blood pressure and heart rate to baseline after physical exertion, leading to a prolonged feeling of fatigue or weakness.

Nausea and digestive issues

Since POTS is characterized by autonomic nervous system dysfunction, this can affect various bodily functions such as digestion. The dysregulation of your autonomic nervous system can lead to abnormalities in gastrointestinal secretion, motility, and perception, resulting in digestive symptoms.

You may experience gastroparesis or delayed gastric emptying. This condition can cause a delay in the processing of the food from your stomach to the small intestine. So it can lead to symptoms such as bloating, abdominal discomfort, and nausea. Moreover, attribution to gastrointestinal motility and visceral hypersensitivity can be due to POTS when associated with abdominal pain.