Exercise In Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

Postural tachycardia syndrome is a condition in which the blood volume going to your heart drops below normal and your heartbeat rises when you stand up after being in a lying-down position. You may feel dizzy and experience tachycardia that causes your heart to race up to 120 beats per minute, or 30 beats per minute more than your normal pulse. Exercise is linked to postural tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, in more ways than one.

Exercise Intolerance

Exercise intolerance is the inability to engage in physical activity; some people with positional tachycardia syndrome may be able to exercise for a few minutes, and others not at all. Fainting and excessive fatigue are two of the primary symptoms of postural tachycardia, aside from the increased heart rate. You are likely to develop exercise intolerance as a complication of POTS if a workout causes you to faint or feel dizzy.

Exercise as Management

Ironically, your doctor may recommend exercise as a way to help manage your postural tachycardia syndrome. You can perform light exercises in bed before rising in the morning; isometric muscle contractions -- tensing the muscles in your arms and legs without lifting your limbs -- can help you maintain muscle tone and strength. Exercising in a cool environment may also help your condition, as heat can reduce the blood flow to your brain. Exercise as a treatment for POTS generally is combined with other measures: medications that raise your blood volume, as well as careful attention to hydration. You may limit symptoms of dizziness by drinking 16 ounces of water before getting out of bed, which could help you tolerate physical activity more easily.

Reconditioning Goals

Exercise is beneficial to your overall health and plays an important role in keeping you ambulatory and strong. During treatment for postural tachycardia syndrome, you should focus on gradually reaching physical reconditioning goals. Dr. Blair P. Grubb of the University of Toledo recommends aiming for an eventual goal of participating in 20 to 30 minutes of physical exercise, to be performed three times weekly. A resistance training workout can also keep your musculoskeletal system healthy.

Clinical Studies

Vanderbilt University is studying possible treatments to help people with postural tachycardia syndrome increase their tolerance for exercise. A planned clinical trial as of June 2011 sponsored by Vanderbilt in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health will determine if giving intravenous saline fluids to patients prior to physical activity will reduce the effects of POTS and increase exercise capacity.