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Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care
- Appointments in as little as 24 hours
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Postural orthostatic tachycardiac syndrome (POTS) at HCA UK
Why choose us?
We’re No.1 in the UK for private electrophysiology. That means we look after more cardiac patients than any other UK private healthcare provider. It also means that 99% of those patients say they’d recommend us to their loved ones.
You’ll have fast access to the latest diagnostic technology, and a wide range of treatments carried out in state-of-the-art facilities by some of the UK’s leading cardiac experts. The most important thing our patients get, however, is peace of mind with a 99% success rate across all cardiac surgery.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a relatively uncommon circulatory disorder that affects the autonomic nervous system, which controls blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature. It causes your heart rate to increase very quickly when you move from sitting or lying down to standing up, and your blood pressure to fall.
When your autonomic nervous system is functioning properly, it keeps blood flowing around your body at a healthy pace, regardless of how you move.
When we sit or lie down, blood pools in the lower half of your body, causing a natural drop in blood pressure. If you have POTS, your nervous system won’t automatically respond when you stand up. To compensate, your heart rate increases, trying to pump blood to the upper half of your body.
You may only experience mild symptoms from POTS, or you might find that the condition seriously impacts your quality of life and ability to complete everyday tasks.
POTS has a range of possible symptoms that vary from person to person, including:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness or feeling light-headed
- Fainting (syncope)
- Palpitations
- Breathlessness
- Chest pain (angina)
If you have POTS, you may also experience other symptoms related to autonomic nervous system dysfunction, such as:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Headaches and migraines
- Disturbed sleep patterns
- Forgetfulness or trouble focusing
- Shaking or excessive sweating
- Feeling anxious or nervous
POTS is most commonly diagnosed in women aged 15 to 50, although men can also develop the condition. You may be at a higher risk of developing POTS if you have or are experiencing the following:
- Physical trauma, such as a head injury
- Surgery
- Pregnancy
- Significant illnesses or serious infections, including previous COVID-19 infection
- An autoimmune condition, such as lupus or Sjögren’s syndrome
There are several reasons why your symptoms may appear worse at certain times. These include:
- If you’re standing for a long time
- Not eating enough or drinking enough fluids
- An increase in body temperature, such as after a hot bath or shower, or after spending time outside on a hot day
- Taking part in strenuous exercise
- Feeling unwell from a cold or an infection
If you’re worried you may have symptoms of POTS, we can help.
100+
heart rhythm specialists
26,000+
Cardiac patients treated every year
99%
success rate across all cardiac surgery
Next-day appointments
See a specialist and get on the path to an expert diagnosis within 24 hours
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours
Wide-reaching expertise across the UK
Visit any one of 15 dedicated diagnostic centres in London, Manchester and Birmingham
Worried about your heart rate and don’t know what to do?
Get in touch with and book a same- or next-day GP appointment.
Have a referral and need to book?
Simply book a test, scan or treatment directly today.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some advice?
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POTS tests and scans at HCA UK
A fast and accurate diagnosis
As an HCA UK patient, you’ll have access to the most comprehensive private diagnostics network in the UK, including state-of-the-art tests and imaging scans, with results in as little as 48 hours.
With POTS, the symptoms you experience can often be attributed to other conditions, so getting the right diagnosis is crucial. Our leading specialists have the expertise and experience to do just that. In just three years, we’ve performed more than 75,000 electrocardiograms and 62,000 echocardiograms, giving people just like you peace of mind or a fast track to the treatment they need.
- Tilt-table test
- Echocardiogram
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Ambulatory ECG
- Cardiopulmonary exercise test
- Blood tests
POTS Treatments at HCA UK
Helping you to live your best life
We see more cardiac cases than any other private provider, with a 99% success rate across all cardiac surgery. And while there’s no cure for POTS, our leading consultants can offer a range of treatments to help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Your treatment will be fully personalised to your specific needs, depending on the severity of your symptoms and any underlying conditions. They’ll make decisions with you, not for you, to determine the best course of action. This can include:
- Lifestyle changes
- Physical exercise
- Medication
Don’t have a referral? Don’t worry.
Our private GPs can refer you to the right specialist for expert diagnosis. You can often get a same- or next-day appointment, so get in touch and see how we can help.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome FAQS
Even making some small lifestyle changes can dramatically improve POTS.
- Drink more water: Drinking 2 to 3 litres of water each day can improve your blood volume, helping oxygen reach your heart more efficiently.
- Add more salt to your diet: Studies have shown that increasing your sodium intake* can also help to increase blood volume which is often low if you have POTS. Drinking Lucozade or adding electrolyte powders to food or drinks is often healthier than eating table salt.
- Cut down on alcohol and caffeine: Certain foods and drinks can aggravate the symptoms of POTS for some people.
Our POTS specialists can help you alter your diet in the way that’s best suited to your condition.
Yes, it can. In fact, maintaining an active lifestyle and undertaking regular exercise is one of the most effective ways to manage POTS. However, it’s best to gradually change your routine over time rather than suddenly embarking on lots of physical activity.
We can help you create an exercise plan tailored to your needs and your individual condition. Some of the most effective types of physical activity are gentle exercises such as walking, swimming, water aerobics or yoga. These exercises can help alleviate symptoms by improving blood circulation. These forms of exercise will also help to strengthen your core and leg muscles, in turn helping to boost your blood flow.
Because symptoms vary from person to person, there’s no single medication that’s effective for treatment in all people. Our specialist cardiologists will assess your condition and work out the most effective medication you can take to help control your particular symptoms. Some of the most prescribed are:
- Fludrocortisone: Helps to return your heart rate to a normal pace and reduce the frequency of abnormal heart rhythms by helping your kidneys to retain sodium.
- Midodrine: Increases and maintains your blood pressure by causing your blood vessels to narrow.
- Beta blockers: Slows your heart rate down and reduces blood pressure to help reduce upright tachycardia.
Many conditions can be mistaken for POTS. Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) is a related condition also due to autonomic nervous system dysfunction. If you have IST, your resting heart rate consistently sits above 100 beats per minute and increases further with exercise. This causes persistent palpitations. IST can often be treated through medication.
Vasovagal syncope, or frequent fainting, is also related to POTS and happens because of a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The predominant symptom in vasovagal syncope is loss of consciousness or profound dizzy spells. Fainting commonly occurs in certain circumstances such as:
- Hot and crowded environments
- Standing or sitting for too long
- Stressful situations
- After eating a large meal
- After consuming too much alcohol
- When going to the toilet, particularly at night
Experiencing any of the common POTS symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean that you have the condition, so it’s important not to try to self-diagnose.
Contact your doctor as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can book an appointment with one of our POTS specialists. We also offer a private GP service with same-day appointments available.
While POTS itself is not life-threatening, some associated symptoms may indicate a more serious condition.
You should call 999 immediately if you have:
- Chest pain that spreads to your neck and arms
- Difficulty breathing
Cardiac Care Patient Stories
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A simple heart screening revealed Mahmoud’s tumour
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Designing a new heart
Using his experience in 3D printing for his architecture clients, David built a life-size model of his own heart and ribcage to help visualise and plan his endoscopic heart surgery with Mr Toufan Bahrami.
Just two months after undergoing heart surgery at The Harley Street Clinic, David, who is in his 70s, is looking forward to his forthcoming trip to Copenhagen, Stockholm and Gothenburg with his wife.
“The staff were incredible. They are the best. Every step was explained…”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.