POTS Emergency Room Information Sheet

_{A simple communication tool for emergency department visits.}

This document was created to help individuals living with PosturalOrthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome communicate more clearly during emergency room visits.

What Is POTS?

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a form of dysautonomia involving dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system.

Common Features May Include:
✔ Significant increase in heart rate upon standing
✔ Dizziness or lightheadedness
✔ Near-fainting or fainting
✔ Palpitations
✔ Fatigue
✔ Brain fog
✔ Exercise intolerance
✔ Nausea or gastrointestinal symptoms
✔ Temperature sensitivity
✔ Blood pooling in the legs or hands

Symptoms May Become Worse With:

✔ Dehydration ✔ Infection or illness ✔ Heat exposure
✔ Prolonged standing ✔ Pain ✔ Stress
✔ Hormonal changes ✔ Lack of sleep

^{Because POTS presentations can vary significantly from person to person, the document encourages healthcare providers to assess for the true cause of symptoms and use clinical judgment throughout evaluation.}

POTS Emergency Room Information Sheet

_{A simple communication tool for emergency department visits.}

This document was created to help individuals living with PosturalOrthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome communicate more clearly during emergency room visits.

What Is POTS?

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a form of dysautonomia involving dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system.

Symptoms May Become Worse With:

✔ Dehydration ✔ Infection or illness ✔ Heat exposure
✔ Prolonged standing ✔ Pain ✔ Stress
✔ Hormonal changes ✔ Lack of sleep

What This Sheet Includes

_{^{Patients can complete:}}

✔ Baseline resting heart rate and blood pressure
✔ Typical POTS symptoms
✔ What usually helps during flares
✔ Current medications and supplements
✔ Allergies or reactions
✔ Emergency contacts
✔ Current concerns and symptoms prompting the visit

Supportive considerations in POTS

_{^{The sheet also includes supportive considerations often used in POTS care,}}_{^{such as:}}

✔ Supine positioning or leg elevation
✔ IV fluids when dehydration or volume depletion is suspected
✔ Electrolyte support when clinically appropriate
✔ Reduced prolonged standing during evaluation
✔ Calm, low-stimulation environments when possible
✔ Review of medications and underlying contributors

What This Sheet Includes

_{^{Patients can complete:}}

Supportive considerations in POTS

_{^{The sheet also includes supportive considerations often used in POTS care,}}_{^{such as:}}

Why This Resource Matters

Emergency visits can feel overwhelming for individuals with dysautonomia especially during adrenaline surges, fainting episodes, severe fatigue, chest symptoms, or neurological overwhelm.

Clear communication can:

✔ Reduce stress during triage
✔ Help providers understand baseline symptoms
✔ Support more informed care
✔ Save time during evaluation
✔ Improve advocacy during flares

Importantly, the document also reminds both patients and providers that not every symptom is caused by POTS, and that new, severe, or unusual symptoms
should always be fully evaluated.

Why This Resource Matters

Emergency visits can feel overwhelming for individuals with dysautonomia especially during adrenaline surges, fainting episodes, severe fatigue, chest symptoms, or neurological overwhelm.

Clear communication can:

✔ Reduce stress during triage
✔ Help providers understand baseline symptoms
✔ Support more informed care
✔ Save time during evaluation
✔ Improve advocacy during flares

Importantly, the document also reminds both patients and providers that not every symptom is caused by POTS, and that new, severe, or unusual symptoms
should always be fully evaluated.