Now Accepting New Patients – Book A Free Discovery Call
Now Accepting New Patients – Book A Free Discovery Call
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a condition that affects circulation and blood flow and is classified as a form of dysautonomia. Dysautonomia is an umbrella term describing disorders of the autonomic nervous system and affects over 70 million people in North America.
The autonomic nervous system controls many vital functions we do not consciously regulate, including heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, temperature control, kidney function, pupil dilation, and the balance between the sympathetic (“fight or flight”) and parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) nervous systems. In POTS, this system does not regulate blood flow and heart rate appropriately when moving from lying or sitting to standing.
As a result, individuals experience an exaggerated increase in heart rate upon standing, often accompanied by a wide range of neurological, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
A detailed intake is essential to understand the type and drivers of POTS in each individual. This includes:
POTS is not a single condition but a spectrum of autonomic dysfunction, and identifying contributing patterns is critical.
Testing is used to confirm POTS and identify underlying contributors. This may include:
Orthostatic Heart Rate Assessment
Heart rate is measured in different positions:
Heart rate should remain relatively stable between positions. An increase of 20–30 beats per minute or more upon standing is consistent with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.
Additional Functional Testing May Include:
These findings help determine which subtype of POTS is present and guide treatment priorities.
The biomedical naturopathic approach to POTS focuses on stabilizing circulation, calming the nervous system, and improving cellular energy and blood flow. Treatment is always individualized and may address one or more POTS patterns:
Hypovolemic (Low Blood Volume) POTS
Inflammatory or Vascular Dysfunction
Hyperadrenergic POTS
Microcirculatory Dysfunction
Neurogenic POTS
Biomedical treatment for POTS is not a quick fix. It is a gradual, step-by-step process aimed at restoring autonomic balance, improving circulation, and increasing resilience. Over time, individualized care often leads to improved tolerance to standing, reduced symptom burden, and better quality of life.
1100 Walker’s Line Suite 503
Burlington Ontario
L7N 2G3 Canada
© 2026 Natural Care Clinic. All Rights Reserved.
Designed & Developed by ScaleUp42.com
