Cardiovascular Health Clinic Logo

Understanding POTS Syndrome

At CardioVascular Health Clinic, your heart health is our top priority. 

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with POTS syndrome or is at risk of developing the condition, getting evaluated and understanding your treatment options is essential.

POTS Syndrome is thought to impact between 1 to 3 million Americans yearly. While symptoms can be mild, for many, it has a negative impact on daily life. 

You don’t have to live with POTS syndrome forever. Treatment is available. 

Let’s discuss POTS syndrome in more detail, including what it is, common symptoms, and effective POTS treatment options.  

What Is POTS Syndrome?

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS for short, is a cardiovascular condition triggered when you go from a lying to a standing position.

When you have POTS, most of your blood stays in the lower part of your body when you stand up. This imbalance causes your heart to beat faster to try and increase blood flow to your brain. 

As this happens, your blood pressure can drop, causing you to experience dizziness, blurry vision, nausea, vomiting, or brain fog. Symptoms can occur with prolonged standing or stress or after eating.

Although the cause of POTS is still widely unknown, recent evidence links POTS to other conditions, including pelvic venous insufficiency or pelvic congestion syndrome.

Signs of POTS Syndrome include:

  • Increase in Heart Rate by 30 BPM over 120 BPM within the first 10 minutes upon standing without orthostatic hypotension
  • Positive Tilt Table Test-- A positive tilt test was defined as a drop in systolic blood pressure >60% from baseline values or an absolute value of <80 mm Hg with or without bradycardia defined as a drop of greater than 30% from baseline value or to less than 40 bpm associated with symptoms, such as lightheadedness or dizziness.

Symptoms of POTS Syndrome

People living with POTS can experience several symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

The most common symptoms include:

  • Extreme Tiredness
  • Dizziness When Standing
  • Lightheadedness
  • Heart Palpitations
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Anxiety
  • Nausea
  • Blurred Vision
  • Poor Concentration

The Tie Between POTS Syndrome and Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

While not all cases of POTS syndrome are caused by pelvic congestion syndrome, recent studies have found a closer tie between the two conditions than initially thought.

We have found that many patients with POTs may have May-Thurner, venous compression syndrome, causing varicosities within the pelvis and pooling of blood. 

This pooling of blood in the pelvis may make obtaining adequate blood return to the brain difficult, causing associated symptoms. 

We have found a high success rate of treating POTS upon treatment of underline pelvic venous insufficiency.

Evaluation involves clinic consultation followed by CT of the abdomen and pelvis. If underlying May-Thurner and pelvic varicosities are demonstrated, the patient will undergo a pelvic venogram to treat the underlying venous disease, which may include stenting of common iliac vein stenosis and embolization of abnormal varicose veins within the pelvis.

POTS Treatment Options

Typical postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome treatment options include

  • Increasing fluid intake
  • Increasing salt consumption
  • Wearing Compression Stockings
  • Raising the head of the bed
  • Avoiding substances and situations that worsen symptoms
  • Numerous different medications

Innovative POTS Syndrome Care in Oklahoma

The physicians at CardioVascular Health Clinic are qualified to diagnose and treat POTS syndrome and its potential tie to pelvic congestion syndrome. 

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms consistent with either condition, we can help. We have effective diagnosis and treatment options available to help you feel your best again.

Call us at 405-701-9880 or book an appointment online today.

Patient Resources

We’re committed to timely, efficient, and affordable care.
Here is a collection of useful resources our new and existing patients need in one convenient location.
Please let us know if you need additional information or have any questions.

Testimonials

I’m about one month out and things are so much better. At my two week evaluation my symptom score had gone from a 27 to a 7, and I’m sure it’s even better now. That speaks volumes. Now that I’m post recovery, there is no incontinence, I go to the bathroom much less and there are no ED side effects like there are with other procedures. In regard to my quality of life, well, I don’t maintain my life based on my proximity to a bathroom anymore.

-
Blaine P., M.D.
Professional staff working in a beautiful facility with great doctors who sincerely care about their patients. Without Dr. Schmidt's skill, I would have needed heart bypass surgery instead of a stent. Follow-up has been thorough. I can't recommend them highly enough.
-
LeAnn H.

Dr. Jim Melton and all the staff are fantastic. He is an excellent surgeon and his team is GREAT!!!! I just had surgery at the surgery center, I have only great things to say about my experience. Without him I really don't think I would be here to write this. If you’re looking for a good cardiovascular team, they are a 5 star for sure.

-
Susie H.

Dr. Parsons and staff are amazing. He truly listened to me from the consult. Staff showed genuine care for my progress post procedure. I had my follow up appointment today so satisfied with results. Blake made me comfortable from the start. He is an activist for uterine fibroids treatment beyond the standard.

-
Tamara M.

Professional and caring staff. Dr. Smith is very knowledgeable and shows genuine concern for your personal health. I enjoyed the background music in the procedure room, it really adds to the relaxing atmosphere.

-
David L.

Dr. John Schrader is the most personable doctor we know. He stays on top of my dads health care and is genuinely concerned about his health. We never leave his office with questions. He answers them all. Even questions we don’t think of. Always professional but never cold or bad bedside manner. In our opinion he is THE BEST around.
Thank you Dr Schrader.

-
Kathy J.

I came to Dr. Warren by a self referral for mals when it took me 8yrs 50+ doctors and thousands of dollars spent on no answers. My first visit I was scared I was just going to be gaslighted just like the past however I was pleasantly shocked when Dr. Warren immediately believed me. She took the time to review many disk I had brought from past tests. She never once dismissed me and listened to ever word I had to say. She scheduled one last test to confirm the diagnosis then I was scheduled for surgery right away. Surgery was a success and I can’t thank her and her staff enough. Dr. Warren truly saved my life.

-
Angie W.

Dr. Garner literally saved my life 18 months ago and I've followed him to his new practice with Cardiovascular Health. He explains things so clearly, listens and is just a very nice person. His staff is great, too! I highly recommend!

-
D Watts

Some of the nicest staff that I have ever dealt with!! They have been so incredibly awesome to my mom!! Would definitely recommend them to anyone!! Thank you so much for being so great with her!!

-
Christy G.

The staff, the nurses, and Dr. Parsons were all amazing. Everything was simple and went well – very Bravo Zulu (military phrase meaning "well done"). In addition to the great staff at CardioVascular Health Clinic, the facilities were clean and well maintained. I have no complaints about anything. The whole experience was A1. I would recommend Dr. Parsons to anyone. He made a huge impact on my life.

-
John W.

Contact Us Today

MM slash DD slash YYYY
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Address
protected by reCAPTCHA
Privacy - Terms

Copyright © 2024 CardioVascular Health Clinic. All Rights Reserved. Website by Healthcare Success.
crossmenu