When Leslie Bainbridge was in the hospital recovering from back surgery, she experienced a drop in her blood pressure (BP) and an elevated heart rate. She was kept for monitoring and discharged when she felt better. At the time, her care team attributed the change in her BP and heart rate to the post-surgery pain medication she was given.
During a post-operative visit, she suddenly felt nauseous and like her pulse was bouncing around her chest. Her care team confirmed that her pulse had risen significantly. Soon after that visit, Bainbridge again experienced a bounce in her pulse and BP.
“It was a nice April day, so I was out in the yard doing some things to build up my endurance to go back to work in a couple of weeks,” Bainbridge said. When she came back inside, she showered and laid down, but when she stood back up, she lost consciousness. “I had laid down but then I had gotten up to get something off my dresser, and I woke up on the floor. I had no idea how I got there. I wasn’t even really sure what happened. But I thought ‘oh my gosh, I think I just passed out’.”
Using her blood pressure cuff, Bainbridge found that her BP was incredibly low and her pulse was very high. Not long after this event, Bainbridge was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
POTS is a circulatory condition which causes dizziness, fatigue and changes in BP. It can also cause significant increases in pulse when changing positions going from laying down to standing up. POTS can also cause fainting.
Throughout the Carle Health system, patients with cardiovascular conditions like POTS have access to board-certified specialty physicians who offer the latest treatments and procedures.
“I do see quite a few POTS patients,” Sivacharan Buddhavarapu, MD, Cardiac Electrophysiology, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, said. “Broadly speaking, the demographic is mostly younger, late teens to late twenties, predominantly female, but not exclusively, and otherwise generally healthy.”
Bainbridge, being in her 50’s, differs from the typical age patients receive a POTS diagnosis. But in her case, her recent surgeries may have triggered the onset of her symptoms.
“Her symptoms seem to have started after spinal surgery,” Dr. Buddhavarapu said. “I suspect there is an element of dysautonomia as a result of her pre-existing conditions and the surgery.”
Dysautonomia is a nervous system condition which disrupts body processes like BP and heart rate. POTS is a form of dysautonomia. Currently, there isn’t a singular test to diagnose POTS. Diagnoses are typically made following a patient’s description of symptoms that align with the condition.
But for some patients, it can be difficult to communicate what they feel to their physician, causing a delay in a diagnosis and care. To help patients describe their symptoms, Bainbridge recommends documenting each experience.
“Document things,” Bainbridge said. “The dates, the times and what you’re doing, and what their pressures are when laying down, sitting and when standing.” She also monitors her pulse when changing her position. “I don’t think people realize how much you can be effected by changing positions.”
“Management is largely symptom driven and revolves around trigger avoidance,” Dr. Buddhavarapu said. Increasing fluids, wearing compression socks and medications help elevate blood pressure and salt retention. But understanding what can trigger symptoms is what improves daily functions. “Ms. Bainbridge's success really comes from how well she does at trigger avoidance, symptom recognition, how well she manages her expectations and navigates her life accordingly with persistence.”
“Heat is a really big trigger. Stress is also a trigger. I know in the summertime, I can’t just take off and go out and be in the heat without being prepared. So, I make sure I have plenty of hydration drinks,” Bainbridge said.
Even after a diagnosis is made, patients can rely on their care team at Carle Health to help them find the best methods of documenting and managing their symptoms and ensure the best health outcomes. Carle Health patients also have access to specialized cardiovascular inpatient and outpatient care for long-term support.
Understanding both symptoms and triggers can help those with POTS lead a balanced life and stay active. For Bainbridge, she shares her experiences to encourage those with POTS to learn what works best for them.
“I know that it [POTS] can keep people from wanting to do things because of the fear of what can happen. I have a list of things that work for me and I’m happy to share that with other people. Especially people my age because they may not even know they could even be someone that has this as an issue.”
For more information about heart and vascular care at Carle Health, visit carle.org.
During a post-operative visit, she suddenly felt nauseous and like her pulse was bouncing around her chest. Her care team confirmed that her pulse had risen significantly. Soon after that visit, Bainbridge again experienced a bounce in her pulse and BP.
“It was a nice April day, so I was out in the yard doing some things to build up my endurance to go back to work in a couple of weeks,” Bainbridge said. When she came back inside, she showered and laid down, but when she stood back up, she lost consciousness. “I had laid down but then I had gotten up to get something off my dresser, and I woke up on the floor. I had no idea how I got there. I wasn’t even really sure what happened. But I thought ‘oh my gosh, I think I just passed out’.”Using her blood pressure cuff, Bainbridge found that her BP was incredibly low and her pulse was very high. Not long after this event, Bainbridge was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
POTS is a circulatory condition which causes dizziness, fatigue and changes in BP. It can also cause significant increases in pulse when changing positions going from laying down to standing up. POTS can also cause fainting.
Throughout the Carle Health system, patients with cardiovascular conditions like POTS have access to board-certified specialty physicians who offer the latest treatments and procedures.
“I do see quite a few POTS patients,” Sivacharan Buddhavarapu, MD, Cardiac Electrophysiology, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, said. “Broadly speaking, the demographic is mostly younger, late teens to late twenties, predominantly female, but not exclusively, and otherwise generally healthy.”
Bainbridge, being in her 50’s, differs from the typical age patients receive a POTS diagnosis. But in her case, her recent surgeries may have triggered the onset of her symptoms.
“Her symptoms seem to have started after spinal surgery,” Dr. Buddhavarapu said. “I suspect there is an element of dysautonomia as a result of her pre-existing conditions and the surgery.”
Dysautonomia is a nervous system condition which disrupts body processes like BP and heart rate. POTS is a form of dysautonomia. Currently, there isn’t a singular test to diagnose POTS. Diagnoses are typically made following a patient’s description of symptoms that align with the condition.
But for some patients, it can be difficult to communicate what they feel to their physician, causing a delay in a diagnosis and care. To help patients describe their symptoms, Bainbridge recommends documenting each experience.
“Document things,” Bainbridge said. “The dates, the times and what you’re doing, and what their pressures are when laying down, sitting and when standing.” She also monitors her pulse when changing her position. “I don’t think people realize how much you can be effected by changing positions.”
“Management is largely symptom driven and revolves around trigger avoidance,” Dr. Buddhavarapu said. Increasing fluids, wearing compression socks and medications help elevate blood pressure and salt retention. But understanding what can trigger symptoms is what improves daily functions. “Ms. Bainbridge's success really comes from how well she does at trigger avoidance, symptom recognition, how well she manages her expectations and navigates her life accordingly with persistence.”
“Heat is a really big trigger. Stress is also a trigger. I know in the summertime, I can’t just take off and go out and be in the heat without being prepared. So, I make sure I have plenty of hydration drinks,” Bainbridge said.
Even after a diagnosis is made, patients can rely on their care team at Carle Health to help them find the best methods of documenting and managing their symptoms and ensure the best health outcomes. Carle Health patients also have access to specialized cardiovascular inpatient and outpatient care for long-term support.
Understanding both symptoms and triggers can help those with POTS lead a balanced life and stay active. For Bainbridge, she shares her experiences to encourage those with POTS to learn what works best for them.
“I know that it [POTS] can keep people from wanting to do things because of the fear of what can happen. I have a list of things that work for me and I’m happy to share that with other people. Especially people my age because they may not even know they could even be someone that has this as an issue.”
For more information about heart and vascular care at Carle Health, visit carle.org.
Categories: Staying Healthy
Tags: blood, BP, Cardiology, orthostatic, postural, POTS, pressure, pulse, syndrome, tachycardia