POTS & Abnormal ECG.
Patient: 32, 5’8, 180, Female.
Medications: Prestiq 100mg, Concerta 36mg, Vraylar 100mg, Hydroxizine 25mg as needed.
History: I was diagnosed with POTS in 2023 when I was pregnant with my son. My cardiologist told me he was sitting on my Vena Cava and that was the cause of my POTS.
Fast forward, my POTS has only gotten worse.
My daily BPM range is 50-193 with minimal activity.
Symptoms: Tunnel vision upon standing 85% of the time, shortness of breath, heat intolerance and up until last week I had never fully fainted. I remember I walked to over to my husband and said that I needed to sit down and when I opened my eyes I was on my back on the floor.
I had a tilt table test done in February that confirmed I do indeed have POTS. I was told my ECG’s were always normal, and that there was nothing they could do for me outside of compression garments. The tech who did my tilt table test called me and told me he can’t diagnose me but he believes I have an electrical issue with my heart due to it jumping 60+ beats upon standing vs gradually going up.
A normal resting heart rate for me is around 80, standing / walking is around 120-145, and standing in the heat or having to carry any amount of weight (like putting groceries into the car, carrying my son, or cleaning up the house) my heart rate jumps to 180-195. Even without being outside minimal exertion leaves my hair and face soaking wet and it’s hard to catch my breath. And this is daily and consistent.
I was told in person my ECG was normal, but when I went into MyChart to check another test result I looked at the results and they were labeled as abnormal with negative T Waves but I was never told about this or instructed to follow up. Just “wear compression socks and drink more water” and that “my heart isn’t reaching its maximum output so I’m fine”.
After the fainting spell, and checking the results I did reach out to my cardiologist and spoke to a nurse. She was shocked I didn’t go to the hospital, and told me if I experience tunnel vision or shortness of breath I need to go to the hospital. But, if I did that I’d be going to the hospital every day.
My concern is it seems like my symptoms are getting worse and I’m not getting any help. I’ve bought the socks, I drink at least 120 ounces a day and one of those has an electrolyte packet mixed in as well. I’m tired. I feel like shit all of the time. And I’m scared I’m going to be alone one day and fall with my son and hurt him or myself and not be able to get help.
Thank you for taking the time to read this if you’ve made it this far.