Seeing POTS | A Diagnosis I Didn't Need



So recently, as I was lying awake in my bed and having a lovely online chat with my sister alongside my wife, the doorbell rang for the food we ordered. A few seconds after standing up and walking to the door, I got dizzy quickly and blacked out for seconds, I hit my head on the wall, but luckily my wife noticed and rushed to my rescue and prevented my fall. I wouldn't have given it much thought since I'm recovering post-op, losing weight, and taking medications, but this was not the first time.

A few months back and before my latest surgery, it happened almost identically, minus my wife breaking my fall; that time, it was our living room wooden coffee table. Don't worry, the table is fine.

My wife suggested that it could be POTS, which she was made aware of during her pregnancy. I had never heard of it, and it sounds funny until you know what it is, then it's not funny anymore. 

What is it?

POTS means Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. I know; I barely understood two words myself. Simply put, my blood pressure goes down after standing up, my heart rate goes up, and I go out. People with POTS may experience dizziness, fatigue, inability to exercise, lightheadedness, or fainting. Other common symptoms are a fast heart rate, nausea, anxiety, or blurred vision.

That's what my life was missing. 😅

Anyway, a few hours later. I just returned from the hospital and met with a cardiologist who confirmed the diagnosis. They will do some blood tests and get back to me with a proper plan once the results are ready. But as a general management process, I was advised to get up in stages and do the following:
  • Hydrate
  • Eat Raisins + foods with Iron
  • Salads & Green Leafs
  • Steak (Red Meat)
  • and lots of Snacks between meals

The objective is to keep the blood pressure up and avoid drops in blood sugar. So, I have to add another routine and life adjustment to the list. We will see how it goes.

Let me leave you with one piece of advice: Listen to your body and don't ignore "minor" symptoms. Take action now.

Take Care & God Bless

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