What Is POTS? Why Your Heart Is Spiking & Medical Next Steps

If your heart rate jumps dramatically when you stand up — leaving you dizzy, shaky, or exhausted — you may be wondering: what is POTS?

POTS stands for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. It is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system — the system that controls automatic functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. In POTS, the body struggles to properly regulate blood flow when you move from lying down to standing up.

The result? A sudden and sometimes dramatic increase in heart rate — often accompanied by uncomfortable symptoms.

Let's break this down clearly and calmly so you understand what's happening, why it happens, and what to do next.

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What Is POTS?

POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) is defined by:

• A heart rate increase of 30 beats per minute (bpm) or more within 10 minutes of standing (40 bpm in adolescents)
• No significant drop in blood pressure (if blood pressure drops significantly, that may indicate a different condition)
• Symptoms lasting at least 3–6 months

In simple terms:
When you stand up, gravity pulls blood into your legs and abdomen. Normally, your body tightens blood vessels and slightly increases heart rate to keep blood flowing to your brain. In POTS, that adjustment doesn't work properly. The heart races to compensate.

This is why your heart may spike to 120–150 bpm — even if you're just standing in your kitchen.

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Common Symptoms of POTS

Symptoms vary in severity, but common ones include:

• Rapid heart rate when standing
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Feeling faint or actually fainting
• Brain fog or trouble concentrating
• Fatigue that feels disproportionate
• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort
• Nausea or abdominal discomfort
• Shaky or jittery feeling
• Headaches
• Exercise intolerance

Some people also notice:

• Symptoms worsen in heat
• Symptoms worsen after illness
• Symptoms fluctuate day to day

It's important to understand: POTS can feel alarming, but it is not the same as a heart attack or structural heart disease. The heart itself is usually structurally normal.

However, symptoms can significantly impact quality of life and should not be ignored.

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Why Does Your Heart Spike in POTS?

To understand what is POTS, you need to understand what's happening inside your body.

When you stand:

1. Blood shifts downward due to gravity.
2. Your nervous system signals blood vessels to tighten.
3. Your heart beats slightly faster to maintain brain blood flow.

In POTS:

• Blood vessels may not tighten properly.
• Blood pools in the lower body.
• Less blood returns to the heart.
• The heart compensates by beating much faster.

This excessive heart rate increase is called tachycardia.

Importantly, this is not usually caused by blocked arteries or heart damage. It's a regulation issue — a communication problem between the nervous system and blood vessels.

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What Causes POTS?

There is no single cause. Research shows that POTS may be linked to:

• Viral illness (some cases begin after infections)
• Autoimmune conditions
• Deconditioning after prolonged bed rest
• Hormonal changes
• Connective tissue disorders (such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome)
• Blood volume abnormalities
• Small fiber neuropathy

It is most commonly diagnosed in:

• Women
• People aged 15–50
• Individuals who recently experienced illness or physical stress

Sometimes no clear trigger is found.

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Is POTS Dangerous?

This is one of the most common concerns.

POTS is usually not life-threatening.
However, symptoms can be disruptive and sometimes severe.

Potential risks include:

• Falls from fainting
• Reduced ability to work or exercise
• Mental health strain from chronic symptoms

Although it is not typically fatal, any symptoms such as:

• Chest pain
• Severe shortness of breath
• Sudden neurological symptoms
• True loss of consciousness without warning

should always prompt urgent medical evaluation to rule out other serious causes.

Do not assume it is POTS without medical assessment.

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How Is POTS Diagnosed?

If you're wondering what is POTS and whether you have it, the next step is medical evaluation.

Doctors typically perform:

1. Orthostatic Vital Signs

Your heart rate and blood pressure are measured:

• Lying down
• Sitting
• Standing (over 10 minutes)

2. Tilt Table Test

You are secured on a table that tilts upright while monitoring heart rate and blood pressure.

3. Blood Tests

To rule out:

• Anemia
• Thyroid disease
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Adrenal disorders

4. Cardiac Evaluation

• ECG
• Possibly echocardiogram
• Holter monitor

Diagnosis is made by meeting heart rate criteria and ruling out other causes.

If you're experiencing these symptoms and want to better understand whether they align with conditions like POTS before your medical appointment, you can use a free Orthostatic Dysregulation symptom checker to help identify patterns and organize what you're experiencing.

This is not a diagnosis — but it can help organize your symptoms.

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Treatment Options for POTS

There is no single cure, but many people improve significantly with proper management.

Treatment typically includes:

Lifestyle Adjustments (First-Line Therapy)

• Increase fluid intake (2–3 liters per day, unless contraindicated)
• Increase salt intake (if medically appropriate)
• Wear compression stockings
• Avoid prolonged standing
• Elevate the head of the bed slightly
• Engage in structured, gradual exercise (especially recumbent exercise)

Exercise is one of the most evidence-supported treatments — but it must be gradual and consistent.

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Medications (When Needed)

Doctors may prescribe:

• Beta-blockers (to reduce heart rate)
• Fludrocortisone (to increase blood volume)
• Midodrine (to constrict blood vessels)
• Ivabradine (in some cases)
• Pyridostigmine

Medication plans are individualized. What works for one person may not work for another.

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When Should You Speak to a Doctor?

You should seek medical evaluation if:

• Your heart rate increases dramatically when standing
• You feel faint or actually faint
• You have persistent dizziness
• Your symptoms interfere with work or daily life
• You have chest pain or shortness of breath
• You are unsure whether this could be a heart condition

Even though POTS is often not life-threatening, other serious conditions can mimic it. A proper evaluation is essential.

If you ever experience:

• Crushing chest pain
• Sudden weakness on one side of the body
• Severe shortness of breath
• Collapse without warning

Seek emergency medical care immediately.

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Living With POTS

Many people improve over time — especially with:

• Structured exercise programs
• Proper hydration
• Medical guidance
• Identifying triggers

Recovery can be gradual. Symptoms may fluctuate. Some people achieve near-complete remission. Others learn to manage symptoms effectively.

It is a real medical condition. It is not anxiety, laziness, or "just stress." However, anxiety can coexist and may worsen symptoms — so addressing mental health is part of comprehensive care.

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Final Thoughts: What Is POTS?

POTS is a disorder of autonomic regulation that causes an abnormal rise in heart rate when standing. It happens because the body struggles to properly control blood flow against gravity.

It can be disruptive — but it is manageable with proper diagnosis and treatment.

If your heart is spiking when you stand, do not ignore it — but do not panic either.

Start by:

• Tracking your symptoms
• Checking your heart rate lying vs. standing
• Speaking with a healthcare professional
• Considering a structured symptom review like the online tool mentioned above

Most importantly:
If something feels severe, worsening, or life-threatening, speak to a doctor immediately.

Your symptoms deserve evaluation — and with the right care plan, improvement is possible.