Increase heart rate when standing

Hi Ashley,

I Just wanted to say that your symptoms are totally indicative of pots (postrial orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). I'm from the UK and I'm suffering from and going through the exact same scenario as you. My heart rate increase from lying to standing is around 30 40 beats per minute. My resting (lying down) bpm is 65 but as soon as i stand it increases to 100-115 and will not come down no matter how much controlled deep breathing I do. But as soon as i lie flat it returns to normal. I get out of breath easily now when standing (I was speed walking 3 miles a day with my dog 12 months ago and my heart rate was never fast and I never got out of breath or felt light headed ). To get diagnosed with pots isn't easy because it gets misdiagnosed as anxiety a lot but don't give up (I have an anxiety disorder, I've had it for 19 yrs and so I no all about the difference between an anxiety or panic attack and this is not an anxiety attack,it's an orthostatic intolerance). The best thing to do is look for a local cardiologist who either specialises in pots or has an interest in the syndrome and then go into your gp dr and insist that you get a referral to the chosen cardiologist (you may even to be able to refer yourself in the states,I don't know). Do not except anything less. Pots can be easily diagnosed by a consultant who treats or knows about it. They do a tilt table test where they measure your heart rate ( and blood pressure) while lying flat and then the table raises you to vertical and your heart rate is then tested again. If your heart rate increases by over 30 beats per minute on standing then you will generally be diagnosed with pots. Other symptoms of pots are,fatigue, breathlessness,exercise intolerance,lightheadedness,and lots more. If these symptoms you have are relieved when lying down then you clearly have an orthostatic intolerance- ie pots. A consultant may need to do some other checks on you to rule out any other possible cause of this intolerance, ie blood samples to check for anemia, or thyroid problem,or a heart monitor check. I'm not yet diagnosed myself I'm waiting to get a private referral (that I can't afford) to see a local NHS cardiologist I've found who has an interest in pots and I'll go from there. Pots all though not life threatening in itself can end up being very debilitating. You may end up feeling chronically fatigued and bedridden,generally unwell, and massively p****d off, which will only make any slight anxiety or depression much worse, just like I'm finding out. It's all about finding the right dr and then once diagnosed the treatment for pots is and can be very successful. They try compression stockings to keep the blood up away from pooling in your legs so your heart doesnt havery to pump so hard. They recommend a big increase in fluid intake and possibly salt tablets and then a graded exercise plan etc. And last but not least medication-ie beta blockers or some other drug that help slow and control the heart rate increase.

I hope if your still suffering that this will help in some way cause I know how u feel-I just want my life back my ability to do the basic day to day jobs and activities that i was doing everyday until this orthostatic intolerance started 6-7 months ago.

Best wishes

Dan