Dysautonomia refers to when the autonomic nervous system — which controls heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation — doesn’t function as it should. One of the most common forms is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).
In POTS, when a person stands, their heart rate may rise much more than usual, and this can cause a range of symptoms that affect daily life.
People with POTS or dysautonomia may experience:
• Dizziness or light-headedness when standing
• Fainting or near-fainting episodes
• Rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
• Fatigue and “brain fog” (trouble concentrating)
• Headaches or nausea
• Feeling shaky or weak
• Fluctuations in blood pressure
• Problems with digestion
• Trouble regulating temperature (feeling unusually hot or cold)
• Exercise intolerance
Diagnosis may involve simple standing tests, tilt table testing, or heart monitoring (such as ECG or Holter monitoring) to check how heart rate and blood pressure respond when upright.
Some people with POTS may also have other health conditions such as fatigue syndromes or hypermobility, which can make symptoms more complex.
Although living with POTS can be challenging, many people improve over time with the right support and management. Talking with your doctor about your symptoms is an important step.
For further information and practical resources, you can also visit Active Health Clinic, who have a particular interest in supporting dysautonomia, POTS and chronic co-existing conditions.