Answer these questions about your symptoms to help you understand whether PoTS might be worth exploring — and what to do next. This takes around 2–3 minutes.
This might happen when getting up from bed, rising from a chair, or after standing for a while. It is different from brief "head rush" that resolves in a few seconds.
Not just after exercise — but when simply standing from lying or sitting. You might feel your heart beating fast, hard, or irregularly.
These may happen particularly when standing, after meals, or during warm weather.
PoTS is typically a persistent condition. Transient symptoms may have different causes.
A key feature of PoTS is that symptoms are worse upright and improve with lying flat — often within a few minutes.
PoTS can be triggered by certain events — particularly viral illness. This information helps understand the likely subtype.
This helps us suggest the most relevant next steps for you.
The pattern of symptoms you have described — particularly dizziness, fast heart rate, and fatigue on standing — is consistent with what is seen in PoTS. This does not mean you definitely have it, but a GP assessment and simple testing would be a sensible next step.
Ask specifically for an appointment to discuss possible PoTS or postural tachycardia. Mention that your symptoms worsen on standing and improve lying down.
Keep a brief diary for 1–2 weeks noting when symptoms occur, how long they last, and what makes them better or worse. If you have a smartwatch or fitness tracker, HR data can be useful.
This is a simple test your GP can do in clinic — lying and standing heart rate and blood pressure recordings. You can print our GP information sheet to take with you.
Drink 2–3 litres of fluid per day and ensure adequate salt intake. These simple measures can reduce symptoms while you await assessment.
You have described some symptoms that can occur in PoTS, but the pattern is not strongly suggestive based on your answers alone. There are many conditions that can cause dizziness or fatigue, and a GP assessment is the right way to explore this further.
Mention the symptoms that concern you. Ask whether a simple standing heart rate test might be appropriate. There is no need for urgent referral.
Blood tests (including full blood count, thyroid function, and iron levels) are a reasonable starting point as anaemia, hypothyroidism, and deficiencies can all cause fatigue and dizziness.
Note when symptoms occur and whether they relate to standing, eating, heat, or activity. This will help your GP understand the pattern.
The symptoms you have described do not strongly suggest PoTS based on your answers. However, if you have ongoing symptoms that affect your quality of life, they are still worth discussing with your GP. Many conditions overlap with PoTS and your symptoms may have another explanation.
Any persistent symptoms that affect daily life are worth discussing with a doctor — even if PoTS is not the likely cause.
PoTS is frequently underdiagnosed. If you feel your symptoms were not well captured by this checker, read the full PoTS information pages and consider speaking to your GP about it.