Rare Pots cases growing among Tamil Nadu women

CHENNAI: Though Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (Pots) remains in the list of rare diseases, it has seen a rise in the incidences among women of an age group of 18-50. Pots leads to reduced blood supply to the heart when moving from a lying down to a standing up position, causing nausea, dizziness or fainting.

Pots is a type of disorder affecting the central nervous system that can cause a marked increase in heart rate upon standing up after lying down and leads to unconsciousness. Though POTS might lead to serious heart conditions and can affect people of any age or sex, increase in incidences of Pots in women is concerned.

“More than 70 per cent of people affected with Pots are women. Pots has a higher incidence among women mainly because of the blood loss due to menstruation and therefore, the effects of this disorder worsen after pregnancy or before the menstrual period. Anaemic people also show a higher risk of the disease as the blood supply is reduced. As women of reproductive age develop anaemia due to menstruation, the occurrence of Pots is more among them,” said Dr Suresh Rao, cardiac anaesthetist, Fortis Malar Hospital.

Pots can also occur after a major surgery that would have resulted in blood loss, increased stress or trauma and can last for a few years or even lifelong. Doctors say that echocardiography or diagnostic cardiac ultrasound can help with medical diagnosis. “The increase in salt intake in diet balances the blood pressure, thus adding extra salt to the diet can help the disorder. Increase in a regular intake of water prevents dehydration and helps ease the blood pressure. Lying down can relieve symptoms of fainting and rapid heartbeat, but lifestyle changes such as regular exercise can help to reduce the effects of PotsS. However, medications can be given based on the diagnosis and severity of the disease,” said Dr Meenakshi Sundaram, neurologist, Apollo Hospitals.