POSTURAL TACHYCARDIA SYNDROME (POTS)

In orthostatic intolerance, the patient develops symptoms while standi ng that are relieved when the patient assumes a supine position. Diffe rent degrees of orthostatic intolerance exist, but not a system of gra ding severity. We have develped a system that grades the severity of o rthostatic intolerance by the three-pronged criteria of the rapidity o f development and the severity of orthostatic symptoms, the ability of the subject to withstand orthostatic stresses, and the degree of inte rference with daily living. In this article, this system is presented, and one disorder, postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), is examined i n some detail.