Last reviewed: 9 Nov 2024
Last updated: 07 Jun 2023
Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- orthostatic tachycardia
- orthostatic palpitations
- presence of risk factors
Full details
Other diagnostic factors
- orthostatic lightheadedness
- orthostatic blurred vision
- exercise intolerance
- orthostatic presyncope
- orthostatic tremor
- orthostatic generalized weakness
- dyspnea
- orthostatic syncope
- bloating
- nausea
- diarrhea
- constipation
- abdominal pain
- fatigue
- headache
- sleep disturbance
- cognitive impairment
- chest pain
- bladder disturbance
Full details
Risk factors
- young age (15 to 25 years)
- female sex
- recent viral infection
- pregnancy
- associated comorbidities
Full details
Diagnostic tests
1st tests to order
- ECG
- CBC
- thyroid function tests
- electrolytes
- morning serum cortisol
Full details
Tests to consider
- Holter monitor
- echocardiogram
- tilt-table test
- supine and upright plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels
- thermoregulatory sweat test
- quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test
- valsalva maneuver
- deep breathing test
- exercise testing
Full details
Treatment algorithm
ACUTE
all patients
Contributors
Authors
Blair Grubb, MD
Distinguished Professor of Medicine
University of Toledo
Toledo
OH
Disclosures
BG declares that he has no competing interests.
Abdelmoniem Moustafa, MD
Cardiology fellow PGY-5
University of Toledo
Toledo
OH
Disclosures
AM declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Brent P. Goodman, MD
Director
Autonomic Clinic and Laboratory
Mayo Clinic
Phoenix
AZ
Disclosures
BPG declares he has no competing interests.
Nicholas Gall, BSc, MBBS, MSc, MD, FRCP
Consultant Cardiologist
King’s College Hospital
London
UK
Disclosures
NG declares that he has no competing interests.
Differentials
- anemia
- supraventricular arrhythmias
- heart failure
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- Position statement on postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and related disorders of chronic orthostatic intolerance
- Expert consensus statement on the diagnosis and treatment of postural tachycardia syndrome, inappropriate sinus tachycardia, and vasovagal syncope
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