Understanding POTS: Symptoms, Diagnosis & How We Can Help You Find Answers
Ever Stand Up and Feel Your Heart Race or the Room Spin?
We’ve all felt a bit dizzy or light-headed when standing too quickly – but if it happens regularly, it might be something more than just “getting up too fast.” For some people, these episodes are caused by Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, or POTS – a condition that affects how the body controls heart rate and blood flow.
At Inline Physio Moorooka, we help patients who’ve spent months, sometimes years, searching for answers to unexplained dizziness, fatigue, and palpitations. Our goal is to provide clear testing, accurate diagnosis, and compassionate support so you can finally understand what’s happening with your body.
What Is POTS?
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a type of dysautonomia, which means it affects the autonomic nervous system. This system that automatically manages functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion.
In people with POTS, standing up causes the heart rate to jump by 30 beats per minute or more (or exceed 120 bpm) within 10 minutes of standing, without a significant drop in blood pressure. This sudden rise in heart rate can cause dizziness, brain fog, weakness, and even fainting.
According to the Australian POTS Foundation, POTS most commonly affects women between 15 and 50 years old, but anyone can develop it. It may appear after viral infections, surgery, trauma, or hormonal changes.
Common POTS Symptoms
Because POTS affects multiple body systems, symptoms can vary widely, and that’s part of why it’s often missed or misdiagnosed. Typical symptoms include:
- Dizziness or feeling faint after standing
- Rapid or pounding heartbeat
- Fatigue and “brain fog”
- Headaches or blurred vision
- Nausea, bloating, or digestive changes
- Feeling unusually hot, sweaty, or shaky
- Difficulty concentrating or exercising
Many people with POTS are initially told their symptoms are “just anxiety,” but research shows this is a physiological condition, not a psychological one.
Dispelling Common Myths About POTS
Myth: “POTS is just anxiety.”
Fact: POTS is a physical autonomic nervous system disorder, not a mental health condition.
Myth: “It’s rare.”
Fact: POTS is more common than many realise, especially among young women.
Myth: “There’s no way to test for it.”
Fact: There are clear, evidence-based diagnostic tests, including the Active Stand Test, which our clinic performs in-house.
How Is POTS Diagnosed?
Diagnosing POTS requires looking closely at how the heart and blood pressure respond when you move from lying down to standing. This is where the Active Stand Test, a simple but powerful diagnostic tool, comes in.
Why the Active Stand Test Matters
The Active Stand Test is recommended by the Australian POTS Foundation as a frontline tool for identifying POTS. It’s sometimes called the “poor man’s tilt test” because it can be done safely and accurately in a clinical setting without specialised hospital equipment.
It’s a valuable step for anyone who:
- Experiences unexplained dizziness or rapid heart rate when standing
- Has been told “your heart is fine” but still feels unwell
- Has symptoms that worsen with heat, after meals, or during illness
- Feels misunderstood or dismissed when seeking medical help
For many of our patients, the Active Stand Test provides the first real insight into what’s been happening, and opens the door to proper management and relief.
Why Choose Inline Physio Moorooka?
At Inline Physio Moorooka, we combine expertise, empathy, and evidence-based assessment to help uncover answers for people experiencing POTS-like symptoms.
When you book a POTS assessment with us, you can expect:
- Comprehensive consultation: We take time to understand your full health picture, not just one symptom.
- Active Stand Testing on site: No need for hospital referral, we can perform and interpret the test here in our clinic.
- Collaborative care: We coordinate with cardiologists, neurologists, and general practitioners if further testing or treatment is needed.
- Clear communication: We explain every step of the process so you feel informed and confident in your care.
- Ongoing support: Whether you’re newly diagnosed or seeking a second opinion, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Book Your Assessment
Call Inline Physio Moorooka today or book online to arrange your POTS assessment.
Our caring team will help you uncover the cause of your symptoms, and support you in finding practical, effective solutions.