Table 7.

Diagnostic criteria of POTS

Sustained heart rate increment of not less than 30 beats/min or above 120 beats/min within 10 min of active standing or head-up tilt. For individuals who are younger than 19 years of age the required increment is at least 40 beats/min

Absence of orthostatic hypotension (i.e., sustained systolic blood pressure drop of not less than 20 mmHg)

Reproduction of spontaneous symptoms such as light-headedness, palpitations, tremulousness, generalized weakness, blurred vision, and fatigue. In some patients, tachycardia may evoke vasovagal syncope corresponding to spontaneous attacks from patient’s history

History of chronic orthostatic intolerance and other typical POTS-associated symptoms (for at least 6 months)

Absence of other conditions provoking sinus tachycardia such as anxiety disorders, hyperventilation, anemia, fever, pain, infection, dehydration, hyperthyroidism, pheochromocytoma, use of cardioactive drugs (sympathomimetics, anticholinergics)

Adapted from Johansson et al. [62]s

POTS Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome