From the Guidelines
Yes, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) can cause diaphoresis and hyperthermia. This condition affects the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions including heart rate and temperature regulation. When a person with POTS stands up, their heart rate increases abnormally while blood pressure remains stable or drops, triggering the body to compensate through increased sweating and feelings of warmth. These symptoms occur because the body is attempting to maintain blood pressure and circulation when blood pools in the lower extremities upon standing. Some key points to consider in the management of POTS include:
- Increased fluid intake (2-3 liters daily) to help maintain blood volume 1
- Increased salt consumption (3-10g daily) to help increase blood volume 1
- Use of compression garments to help improve blood flow and reduce symptoms 1
- Regular reclined exercise to help improve symptoms over time by conditioning the cardiovascular system to better handle positional changes 1
- Medications such as fludrocortisone, midodrine, or beta-blockers may be used to help manage symptoms, depending on their severity 1 It's essential to note that the management of POTS should be individualized and based on the specific needs and symptoms of each patient, as outlined in the 2022 ACC expert consensus decision pathway 1.
From the Research
Symptoms of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
- POTS is characterized by orthostatic intolerance and a symptomatic increase in heart rate upon standing 2
- Symptoms of POTS include palpitations, dizziness, and occasionally syncope, which mainly occur when the patient is standing upright 3
- Common stimuli in daily life, such as modest exertion, food ingestion, and heat, can exacerbate the symptoms of POTS 3
Pathophysiological Mechanisms of POTS
- The three major pathophysiologic mechanisms of POTS include partial autonomic neuropathy, hypovolemia, and hyperadrenergic state 4
- Hyperadrenergic POTS is characterized by excessive norepinephrine production or impaired reuptake, leading to sympathetic overactivity 2, 5
- Hypovolemic POTS is often triggered by dehydration and physical deconditioning, and responds primarily to volume expansion and exercise 2, 4
Relationship between POTS and Diaphoresis and Hyperthermia
- While the provided studies do not directly address the relationship between POTS and diaphoresis and hyperthermia, they do suggest that POTS can be associated with various symptoms, including those related to autonomic dysfunction 2, 3
- Hyperadrenergic POTS, in particular, may be associated with symptoms such as tremor and palpitations, which could potentially be related to diaphoresis and hyperthermia 5, 6
- However, there is no direct evidence in the provided studies to support a causal relationship between POTS and diaphoresis and hyperthermia 2, 5, 6, 3, 4