PoTS Awareness Day: 25th October
PoTS Awareness Day is on 25 October.
On PoTS Awareness Day, we highlight Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) and its frequent co-existence with
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME, sometimes referred to as ME/CFS).
These distinct conditions often overlap, with PoTS
frequently occurring in individuals with ME - profoundly disrupting daily life.
Understanding PoTS
PoTS is a form of chronic dysautonomia, a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. Those affected experience a rapid increase in heart rate upon standing, accompanied by dizziness, fainting, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. It affects approximately 0.2 to 1% of the population, predominantly females aged 15 to 50. Symptoms are recurrent and unpredictable, complicating routine daily activities [1].
The subtle or invisible nature of PoTS symptoms often leads to misdiagnosis, including confusion with anxiety disorders. Many patients report lengthy periods without an accurate diagnosis, facing disbelief from healthcare providers [2, 3].
The Connection to ME
Many people with ME also have PoTS, with prevalence estimates ranging from 40% to 50%. Both conditions involve autonomic dysfunction, worsening fatigue, cognitive impairment, and reduced mobility. This overlap complicates diagnosis and highlights the need for comprehensive assessment and personalised management plans [4, 5].
Why Awareness Matters
For individuals affected by PoTS and ME, everyday activities such as standing, showering, or moving within the home can be physically exhausting.
Increased awareness among healthcare professionals is crucial for early, accurate diagnosis and appropriate evidence-informed care.
Further research into effective therapies remains essential.
A comprehensive management plan for individuals with both PoTS and ME often involves a team of specialists. These may include cardiologists to manage PoTS symptoms and neurologists or autonomic dysfunction experts to address the complexities of the autonomic nervous system. For ME, however, there remains a significant gap in understanding, with few specialists fully recognising the multi-system nature of the disease. As a result, people with ME often face challenges in accessing appropriate care, which underscores the need for greater awareness and medical expertise in managing this complex and disabling condition.
EMEA members continue to work towards raising awareness of both PoTS and ME within the medical community and beyond. Increased awareness can lead to earlier diagnoses, better patient outcomes, and the development of more effective treatments.
References
- Exploring Demographic and Clinical Trends in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS): Insights from Public Database Analysis
- The face of postural tachycardia syndrome – insights from a large cross-sectional online community-based survey (2019)
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) (2023)
- McDonald et al. (2014), BMJ Open:
- Reynolds et al. (2014), PubMed:
- ReMedicals (formerly Mehlsen Clinic)
Last Update: October 2025