Complex & Invisible Health / POTS & Dysautonomia
POTS & Dysautonomia
Dysautonomia describes problems with the autonomic nervous system, which controls automatic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion and temperature. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is one of the most common forms.
About POTS
In POTS, the body has difficulty adjusting to being upright. Consensus criteria for adults describe a sustained heart-rate increase of at least 30 beats per minute within 10 minutes of standing (at least 40 in teenagers), without a significant drop in blood pressure, and with symptoms present for at least three months.
POTS is diagnosed most often in women of reproductive age, and it frequently begins after a viral illness, pregnancy, surgery or another major physical stress.
Common symptoms and challenges
- Light-headedness or near-fainting when standing, which eases when lying down
- A racing or pounding heart
- Fatigue and reduced tolerance for exercise or standing
- Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
- Headaches, nausea, bloating and other digestive symptoms
- Shakiness, sweating, temperature intolerance and blood pooling in the legs
Symptoms often fluctuate from day to day, and routine tests done while lying down or sitting can look normal, which is one reason diagnosis can take a long time.
Biological and environmental factors
Well established: POTS is a syndrome with several recognized mechanisms that can overlap, including reduced blood volume, excessive pooling of blood in the lower body, changes in the nerves that control blood-vessel tone, an exaggerated adrenaline response, and deconditioning that develops during illness.
Recognized associations: POTS occurs more often in people with joint hypermobility and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Co-occurrence with mast cell activation symptoms has also been reported.
Emerging research: Researchers are studying autoimmune mechanisms and post-infectious onset. No common genetic variant has been shown to cause POTS.
Laboratory testing
POTS is diagnosed by a clinician, usually with an active stand test or a tilt-table test that tracks heart rate and blood pressure. Blood tests and an ECG are often used to look for other causes of similar symptoms, such as anemia, thyroid problems or heart rhythm disorders. These are clinical tests arranged through a healthcare provider.
Important limitations: No genetic or at-home test can diagnose POTS or measure autonomic function. Genetic wellness panels don't assess how your heart rate and blood pressure respond to standing.
Related Tests
No confirmed test available yet
We don't currently offer a laboratory test with a meaningful, scientifically supported connection to this topic, so we don't list one here. We'd rather show nothing than suggest a connection the science doesn't support.
If you suspect POTS, consider asking a healthcare provider about a stand test or tilt-table evaluation.
For education only. This information is not medical advice and doesn't replace evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional. Fainting that causes injury, fainting during exercise, or chest pain needs urgent medical care. Health & laboratory disclaimer