Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a condition that affects the autonomic nervous system, causing an abnormal increase in heart rate and changes in blood vessel response when transitioning from lying down to standing up. Symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, and sometimes fainting. POTS is often associated with other symptoms, including brain fog, nausea, and exercise intolerance.

Exercise Physiology can help by:

• Improving cardiovascular fitness: A tailored exercise program helps improve heart rate variability, cardiac compliance, blood vessel responsiveness and overall cardiovascular fitness, reducing the severity of POTS symptoms.
• Strengthening the autonomic nervous system: Regular exercise improves the body’s response to changes in posture, helping reduce the tachycardia (rapid heart rate) associated with POTS.
• Increasing blood flow and circulation: Exercise improves circulation, helping to prevent blood from “pooling” in the lower extremities and alleviating dizziness or fainting.
• Reducing fatigue: Gradual, paced exercise builds stamina and helps reduce the debilitating fatigue characteristic of POTS.
• Improving muscle tone and posture: Strengthening postural muscles helps improve the body’s ability to maintain upright posture and fight off dizziness.

Research suggests that a gradual exercise program can improve blood flow and cardiovascular function^1,2 in people with POTS, reducing symptoms and improving quality of life^1,2 and reducing episodes of syncope¹.

1. Gonçalves Leite Rocco, P., Reategui-Rivera, C.M. and Finkelstein, J., 2024. Exercise Interventions in the Management of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: A Scoping Review. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, pp.5867-5885.
2. Fu, Q., VanGundy, T.B., Shibata, S., Auchus, R.J., Williams, G.H. and Levine, B.D., 2011. Exercise training versus propranolol in the treatment of the postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. Hypertension, 58(2), pp.167-175.