What doctor can diagnose you with POTS?
In many cases, your primary care physician is qualified to treat POTS. For complex POTS cases, it is often helpful to have input from a neurologist or cardiologist experienced in this condition. Rehabilitation physicians can help as well in developing an exercise plan that works for you.
How do I talk to my doctor about POTS?
Write an opening monologue that tells the doctor what brings you into their office today. Include current and most troublesome symptoms (even if it is not present that day), and describe how debilitating the illness is. Practice your monologue so that it comes out smoothly when your doctor asks what brings you in.
Can GPs diagnose POTS?
How can GPs diagnose PoTS? If GPs suspect PoTS, they can perform an active stand test. This involves resting the patient flat on an examination couch until settled and recording blood pressure and heart rate.
Should you see a neurologist for POTS?
Neurologists are among the many medical specialists to whom people with POTS may present, making knowledge of this disorder important. The main symptoms of POTS are related to intolerance of upright posture (eg, standing, prolonged sitting).
Should I see a neurologist or cardiologist for POTS?
If you suspect POTS and the patient has an abnormal standing test, you can refer them to a general cardiologist, cardiac electrophysiologist, or a neurologist. Electrophysiologists have traditionally been hailed as the POTS experts. However, general cardiology and neurology need to handle some of the burden.
Is POTS hard to diagnose?
POTS can be difficult to diagnose due to so many symptoms occurring in the body over time. Before diagnosis of POTS, various symptoms may lead patients to try many doctors. Patients with POTS may have symptoms for months to years before finally being diagnosed with the condition.
What can mimic pots syndrome?
A pheochromocytoma can mimic POTS (or vice versa) because of the paroxysms of hyperadrenergic symptoms including palpitation, although pheochromocytoma patients are more likely to have these symptoms while supine than POTS patients. Plasma or urinary metanephrines22 can screen for pheochromocytoma.
Is POTS cardiac or neurological?
A neurologic disorder known as POTS causes dizziness and fainting—and frustration, due to lack of awareness and inadequate treatment.
Do all cardiologists treat POTS?
Can anxiety cause POTS?
While some of the physical symptoms of POTS overlap with the symptoms of anxiety, such as tachycardia and palpitations, POTS is not caused by anxiety. POTS patients are often misdiagnosed as having anxiety or panic disorder, but their symptoms are real and can severely limit a person’s ability to function.