Dysautonomia and PoTS

Some people with Long Covid experience symptoms linked to the autonomic nervous system. This is the part of the body that automatically controls things like heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, digestion and temperature regulation.

What is dysautonomia?

Dysautonomia is an umbrella term for conditions where the autonomic nervous system is not working as it should. This can contribute to symptoms such as:

• lightheadedness or dizziness (especially when standing)

• palpitations (feeling your heart racing or pounding)

• fainting or near-fainting

• fatigue and “brain fog”

• shortness of breath on standing or with minimal activity

• nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation

• shakiness, sweating, headaches or migraines

• heat intolerance

What is PoTS?

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) is one type of dysautonomia. It involves symptoms of orthostatic intolerance (symptoms that happen when upright) alongside a sustained rise in heart rate on standing.

Clinical criteria used in guidance include a sustained heart-rate increase of 30 beats per minute or more when moving from lying to standing (or 40 bpm in teenagers), alongside typical symptoms.