Overview of POTS

Dr. Satish Raj provides an overview of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) during the Dysautonomia International 2020 Virtual Conference. POTS is characterized by an excessive increase in heart rate upon standing without orthostatic hypotension. Patients experience symptoms when upright, which improve upon lying down, and these symptoms are chronic. Common symptoms include rapid heartbeat, chest discomfort, brain fog, nausea, and fatigue. The syndrome often affects quality of life, including educational disruptions. Dr. Raj explains that POTS can result from various pathophysiologies, such as mast cell activation and autonomic neuropathies, and discusses different management strategies like exercise training, increasing blood volume through sodium intake, and using medications to control heart rate. Comorbidities such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and mast cell disorders may complicate the clinical picture. Dr. Raj emphasizes exercise and blood volume expansion as key treatments, noting the potential benefit of tailored drug therapies depending on individual patient profiles.