Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is characterized by orthostatic tachycardia in the absence of orthostatic hypotension. Criteria for diagnosis of POTS are as follows: 1. Heart rate increase ≥30 beats per minute from supine to standing (5-30 min) 2. Symptoms get worse with standing and better on lying down 3. Symptoms lasting ≥6 months 4. Absence of other overt cause of orthostatic symptoms or tachycardia like active bleeding, acute dehydration and medications [1]. As children have higher orthostatic tachycardia, a cut off of ≥40 beats per minute within 5 minutes of head up tilt has been suggested in young children [2]. An orthostatic heart rate ≥130bpm for ages 13 years and younger  or ≥120bpm for ages 14 years and older has also been suggested as an additional criteria. Both cardiac and non cardiac symptoms can occur in POTS. Cardiac symptoms include rapid palpitations, light headedness, chest discomfort and dyspnea. Non-cardiac symptoms could be mental clouding, headache, nausea, tremulousness, blurred vision, poor sleep, exercise intolerance and fatigue [3]. Fatigue resulting from activities of daily living such as bathing or household work can cause significant limitation of functional capacity. Large majority of patients are females in the age group 13-50 years [4]. Light headedness was found to vary in them during the menstrual cycle and may be related to changes in estrogen levels. It was more du...
Source: Cardiophile MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: ECG / Electrophysiology Source Type: blogs