POTS Life
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (also known as POTS) is one of many conditions that fall under the autonomic nervous system dysfunction, or dysautonomia, umbrella. Typical symptoms include dizziness on standing, heart palpitations, noticeable tachycardia, and blood pooling. It is a common comorbidity of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Like all rare diseases, everyone’s experience is different, not just limited to the symptoms we experience, but also our experiences in the medical field.
The POTS awareness ribbon is a light blue/turquoise ribbon, and awareness is often raised during October for dysautonomia awareness month. POTS awareness typically focuses on reducing the time between reporting symptoms and receiving a diagnosis. I waited approximately 8 years for my diagnosis, as it was repeatedly misdiagnosed as anxiety.
Below, I have shared some of my own videos on my life with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, as well as some general resources to learn about the condition. Nothing shared is meant to be used as a diagnostic tool or medical advice. I aim to keep on top of information shared as much as is reasonable.
How I Got My POTS Diagnosis
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome has a notoriously long diagnostic time, and it is frequently misdiagnosed as anxiety. Here, I share my journey to diagnosis, with an overview of all the tests I was referred for, their results, and the timeline. Sometimes all it takes is one doctor to put it in writing to get the ball rolling.
Do I Have POTS? Final Diagnosis Update
Getting a diagnosis can be more complicated than satisfying the diagnostic criteria. Once the tests have all been run, and the results are in, I found myself still having to advocate for myself. Here’s what happened after I fulfilled all of the diagnostic requirements for POTS.
What Happened In My Tilt Table Test
The Tilt Table test is widely considered the gold standard test when it comes to a POTS diagnosis. Here, I discuss everything that happened in my Tilt Table test. Keep in mind that everybody is different, and experiences will vary between patients, and even hospitals.
Getting A Cardiac Memo Test
Another common test to do when experiencing heart problems is a cardiac memo test. This is a wearable ECG event recorder that allows you to push a button to record what your heart is doing when you experience your symptoms. In this video, I walk through my experience with the test.
Useful Websites
POTS UK
POTS UK provides information and support for people with POTS and their supporters. Stay informed of the latest news by checking out their news section, and even join online support groups for POTS patients.
NIH POTS Review (2025)
A useful resource by the National Institute of Health, Neurological Disorders and Stroke department. This review provides an up-to-date overview of POTS, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and upcoming research.
British Heart Foundation: POTS
Information about POTS from the UK’s leading heart health charity, the British Heart Foundation. Provides links to other heart related symptoms and information.
Max Fisher RSci 