Lorna Busmer explains how nurses in primary care can recognise the symptoms of this poorly understood condition and offer effective treatment

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) arises due to dysautonomia, a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Patients present with symptoms such as tachycardia, dizziness, fatigue, tiredness, syncope and presyncope. Management is a challenge and requires a combination of non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches. However, POTS is poorly understood by medical professionals, with patients often misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression or chronic fatigue syndrome. Nurses have a role in primary care in helping to identify potential undiagnosed sufferers, encouraging appropriate lifestyle changes to manage the condition along with psychological support.