POTS / Dysautonomia Doctor Appointment Prep
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and other dysautonomias are often missed because symptoms overlap with anxiety, deconditioning, or psychiatric conditions. Many patients see multiple doctors before getting diagnosed. Clear description of orthostatic symptoms (what happens when you stand up) is critical.
Reviewed by the Brief My Doctor editorial team · Last updated June 2026
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What to tell your doctor
- 1Specific symptoms when standing: dizziness, heart racing, chest pain, shortness of breath, brain fog, nausea
- 2Whether symptoms occur consistently or are intermittent
- 3Whether symptoms are worse with heat, dehydration, exertion, or prolonged standing
- 4Whether lying down or increasing water/salt intake helps
- 5Previous syncope (fainting) or near-syncope episodes
- 6Gastrointestinal symptoms: nausea, vomiting, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea
- 7Sleep disturbances, tremor, or excessive sweating
- 8Family history of POTS, dysautonomia, or syncope
Questions to ask your doctor
- Q1.Do I need a tilt-table test to confirm POTS?
- Q2.What is my baseline heart rate and how much does it increase when standing?
- Q3.Should I increase fluid and salt intake, and by how much?
- Q4.Are there medications that can help? (beta-blockers, midodrine)
- Q5.What type of exercise is safe, and should I avoid certain activities?
- Q6.How can I manage pregnancy with POTS?
- Q7.Should I see a cardiologist or specialised dysautonomia clinic?
Don't forget to bring
- ✓Home blood pressure and heart rate readings: lying, sitting, and standing at 1, 3, and 5 minutes
- ✓Symptom diary: what activities trigger symptoms, time of day, triggers (heat, dehydration, stress)
- ✓List of any fainting or near-syncope episodes with context
- ✓Family history of POTS or syncope
- ✓Any previous cardiac testing (ECG, echocardiogram, holter monitor)
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