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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Orthostatic Hypotension and POTS?

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Orthostatic hypotension (OH) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) are both conditions that can cause dizziness or fainting upon standing, but they have distinct differences:

  1. Blood Pressure: Orthostatic hypotension is a form of low blood pressure, characterized by a 20mm Hg drop in systolic or a 10mm Hg drop in diastolic blood pressure within three minutes of standing. POTS, on the other hand, is a blood circulation disorder characterized by an increased heart rate of at least 30 to 40 beats per minute within 10 minutes of standing, without a significant drop in blood pressure.
  2. Heart Rate: In orthostatic hypotension, the heart rate does not increase upon standing. In POTS, the heart rate increases significantly.
  3. Prevalence: Orthostatic hypotension is more common than POTS. POTS is estimated to affect one to three million Americans.
  4. Symptoms: Both conditions can cause dizziness or lightheadedness when standing, but POTS is also associated with symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, headache, blurry vision, palpitations, tremor, and nausea.
  5. Management: While the management of both conditions may involve medication options, the treatments for OH and POTS can be quite different. For example, non-drug treatments for POTS may include increased salt and fluid intake, moderate exercise, and tilt training.

In summary, the main differences between orthostatic hypotension and POTS are the drop in blood pressure and the increase in heart rate upon standing. While both conditions can cause dizziness or fainting, POTS is associated with a wider range of symptoms and may require different management strategies.

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  • What is the Difference Between Orthostatic Hypotension and POTS?
  • Comparative Table: Orthostatic Hypotension vs POTS

    • Comparative Table: Orthostatic Hypotension vs POTS

    Here is a table comparing Orthostatic Hypotension and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS):

    Feature Orthostatic Hypotension POTS
    Definition A form of low blood pressure that occurs after a change in posture, causing a 20mm Hg drop in systolic or a 10mm Hg drop in diastolic blood pressure within the first three minutes of standing A blood circulation disorder characterized by an abnormal heart rate response to being upright, a heart rate increase from horizontal to standing of at least 30 or at least 40 beats per minute in adolescents within the first 10 minutes of standing, and symptoms that worsen when upright
    Diagnosis Diagnosed within 3 minutes of posture change Diagnosed within 10 minutes of posture change
    Symptoms Dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and blurry vision Symptoms include but are not limited to lightheadedness (occasionally with fainting), difficulty thinking and concentrating (brain fog), fatigue, intolerance of exercise, headache, blurry vision, palpitations, tremor, and nausea
    Causes May occur due to dietary complications, lack of exercise, stress, infections, and illnesses, and is related to the lack of control of the autonomic and sympathetic nervous systems The exact causes are not fully understood, but it may be related to the nervous coordination in blood pressure regulation between the upper and lower body
    Treatment Treatments may include changing medications, moving into an upright position more slowly, and in rare cases, medications to increase blood volume and pressure Treatment approaches should be systematic, mechanism-based, and practical, including a detailed history, examination, and general medical evaluation
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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.