Fear Response Fueling Postural Tachycardia Syndrome?
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Some patients with symptoms of postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) may be experiencing a fear response caused by previous fainting episodes, new research suggests. Investigators compared adult patients with POTS symptoms with healthy controls and found that patients with POTS had higher somatic vigilance and more anxiety. They also had more pronounced anticipatory tachycardia immediately before assuming the upright position in a tilt-table test, suggesting orthostasis-related fear. In addition, patients with POTS had a more rapid heart rate, hypocapnia, cerebral hypoperfusion, and release of epinephrine into the blood stream.
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@anitesh Patients' symptoms are very distressing, and an anticipatory fear response is present — which, although may be appropriate because of the patient's previous experiences, should nevertheless be managed