POTS Resources

• Compression socks and waistbands
• Embr Wave wristbands
• Ice packs
• Liquid IV electrolytes

• Fans
• Cooling blankets
• Cooling gel pillows
• Salt tablets

• Eat small meals frequently throughout the day
• Avoid large, carb-heavy meals before bed
• Try work accommodations for heat intolerance

Monitor Your Heart

• Smartwatch with a heart monitor to alert you when you’re near your limits.
• Service animals can be trained to alert you of an impending faint. This is especially helpful if you faint frequently throughout the day.
• If neither of these are an option, you can still monitor your heart by learning to notice your symptoms and growing more in tune with your body.

Consider Mobility Aids

• If you need to sit frequently at home but don’t have access to a mobility aid, place chairs at intervals throughout your house or apartment to allow you to rest.
• If you can afford it, get a bed that keeps your heart and head elevated above your feet. A cheaper workaround is to buy a wedge pillow. Po tip: go for the memory foam ones designed for surgery recovery. They’re way more comfortable.
• If your POTS is severe, consider using a walker, wheelchair, or other mobility aid on bad days.

Adjust Your Movement

• Sit or lie down when you feel dizzy. At best, this can prevent you from fainting. At worst, you’ll faint in a safe position. Elevating your legs while lying down will decrease blood pooling the most.
• Get up slowly. If you’ve been lying down for a long time, sit for a few minutes before standing up.
• When you need to stand for a long time, flex your leg muscles or do heel lifts to increase blood circulation.
• Limit bending over or getting up and down frequently. Squat to pick things up.

Change How You Exercise

• Prolonged cardio may not be safe for you. Ask your doctor before continuing.
• When doing any form of exercise that involves flipping your body upside down, pay close attention to your heart rate and other symptoms. If you sense a faint coming on, sit or lie down and elevate your legs.

Update Your Shower Routine

• Sit when you’re in the shower. Consider getting a shower stool or bench.
• Avoid lifting your arms above your heart for too long.
• Set out everything you’ll need after the shower beforehand when you have energy.
• Drink a glass of cold water before you get in. Bring a bottle with you if you need to.
• If you can, tell someone you’re going to shower and ask them to come check on you if they hear a fall or after a certain amount of time passes.

Request Medication

• If you find that despite doing everything else listed here, your POTS is still severely limiting you, ask your doctor if medication could help level things out a bit more.