Diagnosing POTS: Do You Need a POTS Doctor?

POTS or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome can be a difficult thing to diagnose. This is mainly because of the list of symptoms that can point to a variety of other conditions. In some cases, your family doctor will have heard about and recognize POTS as a possible diagnosis, but many physicians still do not recognize POTS as a legitimate condition on its own. 

 

For that reason, if you’re experiencing symptoms like lightheadedness or fainting when you stand up, racing heartbeat when you stand up from sitting or lying down, it can definitely be to your advantage to seek out doctors that specialize in POTS syndrome first to at least rule it out.

 

Better yet, simply call Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC in Birmingham, Alabama.  Dr. Paula Moore and Dr. Susan Phillips are widely known as some of the most knowledgeable doctors that diagnose POTS, dysautonomia and related autonomic disorders. If it turns out through POTS testing you don’t have POTS, then at least you can move on to your regular physician with far less worry about being misdiagnosed.

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC
Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results
2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243
http://www.mvpctr.com
(205) 286-3200

Testing for POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)

POTS is a disorder that is often overlooked or misdiagnosed, with some patients dealing with symptoms for years without knowing what’s really going on and usually without relief.  The reason postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is sometimes misdiagnosed is because of the variety of symptoms that accompany this syndrome and many other conditions. The most common symptom of POTS is patient intolerance of going from lying down to standing (usually with lightheadedness or fainting, low blood pressure) and racing heart rate.

And since POTS often affects blood pressure and heart rate response to upright posture, POTS doctors employ tests such as the tilt table test to begin with.  With this test, a patient is strapped to a mechanical table, which will tilt them upright at an angle of at least 60 degrees. Measurements of heart rate and blood pressure are taken while lying flat and then again at intervals while tilted upright. The degree of differences in the numbers and patient response will guide the physician either toward a POTS diagnosis or toward something else.

 

There are a variety of other tests that help doctors determine if POTS is present, as well, such as a POTS stress test (measuring exercise tolerance), MRI's, EMG (electromyography), catecholamine tests and others. If you think you have POTS, the best thing to do first is to call Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC in Birmingham, AL.  Dr. Paula Moore and Dr. Susan Phillips are widely known as some of the most knowledgeable specialists in the areas of POTS, dysautonomia and related autonomic disorders. Call and make an appointment today and get to the bottom of your symptoms!

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC
Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results
2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243
http://www.mvpctr.com
(205) 286-3200