Hypotension Medicine

Over the past six years I have come to the realization that medicine is more an art than a science. I know from experience that it can take years before a doctor will eventually arrive at a diagnosis regardless of the illness or disorder. Sadly, it is often the patient who suffers not only from the physical disorder itself, but also from the psychological experience of having to deal with a chronic illness and the lack of understanding and support from the medical community.

Below is Danielle’s story and her experience with the medical community.

Danielle’s Story

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is defined by excessive heart rate increments upon upright posture. A person with POTS will experience heart rates that increase 30 beats or more per minute upon standing and/or increase to 120 beats or more per minute upon standing (Grubb, 2000). These exaggerated heart rate increases usually occur within 10 minutes of rising. While the hallmark of this disorder is an excessive heart rate increment upon standing, patients often exhibit numerous symptoms of autonomic nervous system dysregulation. It is the autonomic nervous system (ANS) that regulates the needed adjustments in vascular tone, heart rate and blood pressure upon standing. The ANS is also responsible for regulating a multitude of other organs and functions throughout the body. Some of these functions include temperature, pupil dilation and constriction, salivation and the digestive tract. A patient experiencing ANS dysregulation may experience abnormalities in the many organs and functions the ANS regulates.

Test used to diagnose Danielle’s Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome:

Tilt-table test: Tilt-table testing involves placing the patient on a table with a foot-support. The table is tilted upward and the blood pressure and pulse are measured and symptoms are recorded with the patient in diverse positions. The tilt-table test is designed to detect postural hypotension (orthostatic hypotension), a condition that results from changing body position from a prone, supine or sitting position to a more vertical position. Poor tone of the nerves of the legs can cause a disproportionate distribution of blood to the legs, instead of to the brain, so a person feels lightheaded and may even faint. Tilt-table testing may be done when heart disease is not suspected of being responsible for an attack of syncope (fainting) or near- syncope. Depending on the presence or absence of symptoms during the tilt-table test, persons with certain forms of temporary loss of consciousness may be admitted to the hospital for observation and further testing.

Danielle’s Medication used to stabilize her Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome:

Metoprolol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins). Beta-blockers are often used to treat hypotension.

Danielle’s Experience:

I am a mother of two. I am 20 years old, and I have (POTS) Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. I was diagnosed in 2004.

When I was 10 years old I staring experiencing fainting and dizziness. I always new there was something wrong with me, but the doctors thought different. They thought I was lying about my symptoms. Every time I went to the hospital for passing out they told my mother that there was nothing wrong with me. My mother got so use the stories from the doctors she stopped carrying me to the hospital and just took care of me from home.

When I turned 14, my symptoms got worse. The doctors still thought I was lying. My mother got tired of the doctors in my hometown she began to search for different doctors. I started getting a series of test done. I got EEG's, MRI's, and CAT scan's. Nothing showed that anything was wrong. So then, I starting going to a cardiologist my mother told about my story, and he was determined to find out what the problem was. So I got more tests done. Again nothing was found to be wrong, but I was still having symptoms.

Finally, I got a tilt table test done, and then I was diagnosed with POTS. I did not know what that was and then my doctor explained.

I have been dealing with this disorder ever since. I am currently on Metoprolol. I do not have that many symptoms any more. However, I have my days where all that day I am dizzy and will faint.

Some doctors will listen……….

Danielle

After researching several sites, I compiled a list of symptoms associated with both Neurally Mediated Hypotension and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. Today research is finally catching up and many of the symptoms I experienced are now well documented. Read Symptoms Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and Neurally Mediated Hypotension to learn more about the medical symptoms of both disorders. Or you can read about the symptoms that I experienced Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure

If you would like to learn, more about Dysautonomia read my article on Neurally Mediated Hypotension or you can read Dysautonomia - Katrina's Story

To learn more about Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome read Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome – Julie’s Story or if you are interested in pediatric POTS read Pediatric Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: Desiree's Story

If you have a personal health story you would like to share click on the link below and I will publish it on my website. Your Health Story or if you would like to read about my personal health story click on My Personal Health Journal

Because of the overwhelming number of questions that I have received regarding Social Security Disability, I put together a step-by-step guide to assist individuals in applying for and obtaining these benefits. My comprehensive e-book, A Practical Guide to Social Security Disability Benefits is already getting rave reviews!

http://www.medterms.com/

POTS: http://potsplace.com/pots_an_overview.htm

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