NINDS Postural Tachycardia Syndrome Information Page

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
Synonym(s): Chronic Orthostatic Intolerance, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
Reviewed 11-6-2002

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Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)

What is Postural Tachycardia Syndrome?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?

Organizations

What is Postural Tachycardia Syndrome?
Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a disorder characterized by a pulse rate that is too fast when the patient stands. Symptoms include rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness with prolonged standing, headache, chronic fatigue, chest pain, and other nonspecific complaints. Causes of POTS usually are not identified in individual patients. Reversible causes such as low blood volume should be ruled out.

Is there any treatment?
Treatment of POTS depends upon the severity of the symptoms. Individuals with the disorder are usually advised to increase their fluid and salt intake. Body stockings may provide some relief. Drug therapy, with fludrocortisone, beta-blockers, midodrine, or clonidine, can be beneficial. Physical exercise, especially calf muscle resistance training, also may help. Some patients may require and benefit from insertion of a cardiac pacemaker.

What is the prognosis?
The prognosis for individuals with POTS varies. Many patients improve with treatment, although severe POTS can be disabling for years. The disorder is not thought to progress to a cardiac disease.

What research is being done?
The NINDS supports research on disorders such as POTS aimed at increasing scientific understanding of these disorders and finding ways to prevent and treat them.

Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.

Organizations

National Dysautonomia Research Foundation
1407 West 4th Street
Suite 160
Red Wing, MN 55066-2108
ndrf@ndrf.org
http://www.ndrf.org
Tel: 651-267-0525
Fax: 651-267-0524

NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.

Provided by:
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

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