Higher postural heart rate increments on head-up tilt correlate with younger age but not orthostatic symptoms

2013 ◽  
Vol 115 (4) ◽  
pp. 525-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen T. Ives ◽  
Kurt Kimpinski

Reports have shown that younger individuals present with higher postural heart rate increments on head-up tilt (HUT). However, a correlation between the degree of heart rate increment and symptoms of orthostatic intolerance has not been determined. The objective of this study was to determine whether higher postural heart rate increments during HUT correlate with symptoms of orthostatic intolerance in healthy subjects. Postural heart rate increment on HUT did not differ between men and women ( P = 0.48) but did show a significant decrease by age group ( P < 0.0001). There was a significant negative correlation between heart rate increment on HUT and age [ r = −0.63 (−0.73, −0.51), r2 = 0.400; P < 0.0001]. There was a significant difference with respect to symptoms of orthostatic intolerance by sex ( P = 0.03) but not age ( P = 0.58). There was no significant correlation between either symptoms of orthostatic intolerance and age [ r = −0.13 (−0.31, 0.06), r2 = 0.017; P = 0.17] or heart rate increment on HUT and symptoms of orthostatic intolerance [ r = 0.15 (−0.04, 0.33), r2 = 0.022; P = 0.13]. The results demonstrate that higher postural heart rate increments in younger individuals do not result in an increase in orthostatic intolerance. This highlights the potential need for a reevaluation of the diagnostic criteria for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome in younger individuals.

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Johansson ◽  
J Schulte ◽  
F Ricci ◽  
M Persson ◽  
R Sutton ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a variant of cardiovascular autonomic disorder occurring predominantly in young women. POTS is characterized by an excessive heart rate increase when assuming upright posture accompanied by symptoms of orthostatic intolerance. The pathophysiology of POTS has not been fully established and is believed to be multifactorial. Purpose We aimed to investigate the alterations in circulating growth hormone level in POTS. Methods We conducted an age-matched case-control study enrolling 42 patients with POTS (age 31±9 years; 36 women) verified by positive head-up tilt testing and cardiovascular autonomic tests, and 46 controls (32±9 years; 35 women) with negative active standing test and no history of syncope, orthostatic intolerance and endocrine disease. We measured plasma levels of growth hormone using a high-sensitivity chemiluminescence immunoassay in relation to presence of POTS diagnosis. All study participants completed the validated Orthostatic Hypotension Questionnaire (OHQ), consisting of two components: the symptoms assessment scale (OHSA) and daily activity scale (OHDAS) to evaluate the burden of symptoms. We applied standard statistical tests for group differences. Growth hormone values were log-transformed and standardized before the group comparison. Results POTS patients had significantly lower plasma levels of growth hormone (ng/mL) (median=0.53, IQR, 0.10–2.83 vs. median=2.33, IQR, 0.26–7.2, p=0.04) than controls. Levels of growth hormone were reversely related to OHDAS (p=0.049) among POTS patients. Supine heart rate was significantly higher in POTS patients (69.0±11.1 beats/min vs. 63.3±10.8 beats/min, p=0.02), as well as diastolic blood pressure (72.9±9.1 mmHg vs. 69.0±8.5 mmHg, p=0.04). We observed no significant difference in supine systolic blood pressure (116.6±13.3 mmHg vs. 115.2±10.0 mmHg, p=0.60). POTS patients had a significantly higher composite OHQ score than controls (60.0±18.6 vs. 4.2±7.5, p&lt;0.001), as well as OHSA (36.2±10.0 vs. 3.6±6.4, p&lt;0.001) and OHDAS (23.8±9.7 vs. 0.6±1.3, p&lt;0.001). Conclusion(s) Our study shows that patients with POTS have significantly reduced plasma levels of circulating growth hormone. Lower growth hormone levels among POTS patients are associated with increased impairment of daily life activities. Further studies are necessary to confirm our findings in the independent populations and explain the mechanisms behind this alteration. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Crafoord Foundation, Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Lin ◽  
Yuli Wang ◽  
Todd Ochs ◽  
Chaoshu Tang ◽  
Junbao Du ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study aimed at examining three tilt angle-based positive responses and the time to positive response in a head-up tilt test for children with orthostatic intolerance, and the psychological fear experienced at the three angles during head-up tilt test. A total of 174 children, including 76 boys and 98 girls, aged from 4 to 18 years old (mean 11.3±2.8 years old), with unexplained syncope, were randomly divided into three groups, to undergo head-up tilt test at the angles of 60°, 70° and 80°, respectively. The diagnostic rates and times were analysed, and Wong–Baker face pain rating scale was used to access the children’s psychological fear. There were no significant differences in diagnostic rates of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and vasovagal syncope at different tilt angles during the head-up tilt test (p>0.05). There was a significant difference, however, in the psychological fear at different tilt angles utilising the Kruskal–Wallis test (χ2=36.398, p<0.01). It was mildest at tilt angle 60° utilising the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test (p<0.01). A positive rank correlation was found between the psychological fear and the degree of tilt angle (rs=0.445, p<0.01). Positive response appearance time was 15.1±14.0 minutes at 60° for vasovagal syncope children. There was no significant difference in the time to positive response, at different tilt angles during the head-up tilt test for vasovagal syncope or for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. Hence, it is suggested that a tilt angle of 60° and head-up tilt test time of 45 minutes should be suitable for children with vasovagal syncope.


2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth A Mayuga ◽  
Christopher E Gaw ◽  
Curtis Tatsuoka ◽  
Fetnat Fouad-Tarazi

Objectives: Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a heart rate (HR) rise with upright positioning, is dependent on autonomic influences. HR recovery (HR decrease after exercise cessation) is a measure of autonomic function. Characteristics of HR reduction during supine Recovery after head-up Tilt in POTS patients have not been elucidated. Methods: 113 subjects (mean age 41.7 years, 86 female), diagnosed with POTS on head-up Tilt were analyzed. HR’s were recorded during baseline supine position, 70-degree Tilt, and 20 sec, 1 min and 2 min of supine Recovery. Percent HR reduction during Recovery was calculated. Results: Baseline HR was 68.7±13.4 bpm. Maximum HR during Tilt was 109±16.9 bpm. Mean HR was 84.2±20 bpm at 20 sec, 78.5±18.9 bpm at 1-min, and 77.1±18.3 bpm at 2 min of Recovery. Younger age and slower baseline HR were associated with greater HR reductions at 20 sec (p=0.006, p=0.000, respectively). Younger age, slower baseline HR and less time to achieve POTS were associated with greater HR reductions at 1 min (p=0.025, p=0.000, p=0.000, respectively) and at 2 min (p=0.004, p=0.000, p=0.000, respectively). Gender and baseline blood pressures were not significant. Conclusions: In POTS patients, HR quickly decreases upon resuming supine position. Younger age, slower baseline HR and less time to achieve POTS were associated with greater HR reductions during supine Recovery. Further study is needed to determine mechanisms, as well as analyze differences in symptoms or prognosis.


Author(s):  
Musharaf Bashir ◽  
Himani Ahluwalia ◽  
Tazeen Khan ◽  
Sheikh Imran Sayeed

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a form of autonomic imbalance characterized by abnormally increased heart rate (HR) and various symptoms of orthostatic intolerance (OI). This study aimed to determine POTS in adolescents using NASA 10-minute Lean Test. This crosssectional study was conducted at Government Medical College, Srinagar, J&K, India, between October 2017 and November 2019. Adolescents with symptoms of OI were enrolled for this study and NASA 10-minute Lean Test was performed. Characteristics of POTS group were the compared with non-POTS group. There was a significant difference in BMI (P< 0.0001) between POTS and non-POTS group. However, the number of females with features of POTS was greater than males. There was a significant difference in resting HR between the two groups (P<0.0001). During upright posture there was a significant difference in maximum upright HR between the two groups (P<0.0001), highest increment in upright HR also differed significantly (P<0.0001).POTS group had significantly higher HR than non-POTS group. It may be inferred from this preliminary study that NASA 10-minute Lean Test can be used to diagnose POTS.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeleine Johansson ◽  
Fabrizio Ricci ◽  
Janin Schulte ◽  
Margaretha Persson ◽  
Olle Melander ◽  
...  

AbstractPostural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a cardiovascular autonomic disorder with poorly understood etiology and underlying pathophysiology. Since cardiovascular morbidity has been linked to growth hormone (GH), we studied GH levels in patients with POTS. We conducted an age-sex-matched case–control study in patients with POTS (age 31 ± 9 years; n = 42) and healthy controls (32 ± 9 years; n = 46). Plasma GH levels were measured using high-sensitivity chemiluminescence sandwich immunoassay. The burden of orthostatic intolerance symptoms was assessed by the Orthostatic Hypotension Questionnaire (OHQ), consisting of a symptom assessment scale (OHSA) and a daily activity scale (OHDAS). POTS patients had significantly higher composite OHQ score than controls, more symptoms and less activity. Supine heart rate and diastolic blood pressure (BP), but not systolic BP, were significantly higher in POTS. Median plasma GH levels were significantly lower in POTS (0.53 ng/mL) than controls (2.33 ng/mL, p = 0.04). GH levels were inversely related to OHDAS in POTS and supine systolic BP in POTS and controls, but not heart rate neither group. POTS is associated with lower GH levels. Impairment of daily life activities is inversely related with GH in POTS. A higher supine diastolic BP is inversely associated with GH levels in POTS and healthy individuals.


Author(s):  
Chandralekha Ashangari ◽  
Samreen F Asghar ◽  
Sadaf Syed ◽  
Amna A Butt ◽  
Amer Suleman

Background: Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is an autonomic disturbance characterized by the clinical symptoms of orthostatic intolerance, mainly light headedness, fatigue, sweating, tremor, anxiety, palpitation, exercise intolerance and near syncope on upright posture. These are relieved on lying down. Patients also have a heart rate >120 beats/min (bpm) on standing or increase their heart rate by 30 bpm from a resting heart rate after standing for 10 min. A nerve conduction study (NCS) is a medical diagnostic test commonly used to evaluate the function, especially the ability of electrical conduction, of the motor and sensory nerves of the human body. The aim of this study is to demonstrate median, ulnar, peroneal, tibial nerve conduction results POTS patients. Methods: 177 patients were selected randomly from our clinic with POTS. Nerve conduction results of median, ulnar, peroneal, tibial nerves were reviewed from electronic medical records. Results: Out of 177 patients, 151 patients are females (85%, n=151, age 32.07±11.10), 26 patients are males (15%, n=26, age 29.08±17.40).Median nerve conduction results are 57.83 m/sec ±7.58 m/sec, Ulnar nerve conduction results are 56.62 m/sec ±6.85 m/sec, Peroneal nerve conduction results are 49.96 m/sec ±6.85 m/sec, Tibial nerve conduction results are 50.70 m/sec ±6.86 m/sec. Conclusion: The nerve conduction velocities tend to be within normal range in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) patients.


2004 ◽  
Vol 96 (6) ◽  
pp. 2333-2340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomi Laitinen ◽  
Leo Niskanen ◽  
Ghislaine Geelen ◽  
Esko Länsimies ◽  
Juha Hartikainen

In elderly subjects, heart rate responses to postural change are attenuated, whereas their vascular responses are augmented. Altered strategy in maintaining blood pressure homeostasis during upright position may result from various cardiovascular changes, including age-related cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction. This exploratory study was conducted to evaluate impact of age on cardiovascular autonomic responses to head-up tilt (HUT) in healthy subjects covering a wide age range. The study population consisted of 63 healthy, normal-weight, nonsmoking subjects aged 23–77 yr. Five-minute electrocardiogram and finger blood pressure recordings were performed in the supine position and in the upright position 5 min after 70° HUT. Stroke volume was assessed from noninvasive blood pressure signals by the arterial pulse contour method. Heart rate variability (HRV) and systolic blood pressure variability (SBPV) were analyzed by using spectral analysis, and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was assessed by using sequence and cross-spectral methods. Cardiovascular autonomic activation during HUT consisted of decreases in HRV and BRS and an increase in SBPV. These changes became attenuated with aging. Age correlated significantly with amplitude of HUT-stimulated response of the high-frequency component ( r = -0.61, P < 0.001) and the ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency power of HRV ( r = -0.31, P < 0.05) and indexes of BRS (local BRS: r = -0.62, P < 0.001; cross-spectral baroreflex sensitivity in the low-frequency range: r = -0.38, P < 0.01). Blood pressure in the upright position was maintained well irrespective of age. However, the HUT-induced increase in heart rate was more pronounced in the younger subjects, whereas the increase in peripheral resistance was predominantly observed in the older subjects. Thus it is likely that whereas the dynamic capacity of cardiac autonomic regulation decreases, vascular responses related to vasoactive mechanisms and vascular sympathetic regulation become augmented with increasing age.


2001 ◽  
Vol 281 (3) ◽  
pp. H1040-H1046 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kevin Shoemaker ◽  
Debbie D. O'Leary ◽  
Richard L. Hughson

Arterial hypocapnia has been associated with orthostatic intolerance. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that hypocapnia may be detrimental to increases in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) during head-up tilt (HUT). Ventilation was increased ∼1.5 times above baseline for each of three conditions, whereas end-tidal Pco 2 (Pet CO2 ) was clamped at normocapnic (Normo), hypercapnic (Hyper; +5 mmHg relative to Normo), and hypocapnic (Hypo; −5 mmHg relative to Normo) conditions. MSNA (microneurography), heart rate, blood pressure (BP, Finapres), and cardiac output (Q, Doppler) were measured continuously during supine rest and 45° HUT. The increase in heart rate when changing from supine to HUT ( P < 0.001) was not different across Pet CO2 conditions. MSNA burst frequency increased similarly with HUT in all conditions ( P < 0.05). However, total MSNA and the increase in total amplitude relative to baseline (%ΔMSNA) increased more when changing to HUT during Hypo compared with Hyper ( P < 0.05). Both BP and Q were higher during Hyper than both Normo and Hypo (main effect; P < 0.05). Therefore, the MSNA response to HUT varied inversely with levels of Pet CO2 . The combined data suggest that augmented cardiac output with hypercapnia sustained blood pressure during HUT leading to a diminished sympathetic response.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-10
Author(s):  
Sadia Afrin Rimi ◽  
Shamima Sultana ◽  
Iffat Rezwana ◽  
Sultana Ferdousi

Background: Tilt table test is used for the last few decades to detect cause in unexplained syncope. The response to tilting may vary physiologically with obesity. Objective: To assess the relationship of BMI to cardiovascular response to tilting. Methods: This experimental study was conducted from March 2019 to Feb 2020 on 90 healthy subjects with different BMI. Fifty one subjects of both gender with BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 were included in the non-obese group and 39 subjects of both gender with BMI of 25-29.9 kg/m2 were included in overweight group and they were further subdivided into male and female. Head up tilting was done for 10 minutes at 600 by using a motorized tilt table. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were recorded by an automatic sphygmomanometer. Heart rate (HR) and peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) were measured by a pulse oximeter. For statistical analysis, Independent sample ‘t’ test, Pearson’s correlation test and Chi square tests were applied. Results: Significantly smaller rise of heart rate was observed in overweight males and greater fall of systolic blood pressure was observed in overweight females. Conclusion: This study concluded that over weight is associated with reduced orthostatic tolerance to head up tilt test in both genders. J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2020, June; 15(1): 6-10


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. e229824
Author(s):  
Andrew T Del Pozzi ◽  
Michael Enechukwu ◽  
Svetlana Blitshteyn

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a heterogeneous autonomic disorder characterised by orthostatic intolerance and a rise in heart rate by at least 30 bpm or an absolute heart rate value of at least 120 bpm within 10 min of standing or during a tilt table test. Overwhelmingly, POTS affects young Caucasian women, which can lead physicians to miss the diagnosis in men or non-white patients. We describe a case of 29-year-old African-American man who developed lightheadedness, generalised weakness, tachycardia and palpitations and was subsequently diagnosed with POTS. We review its clinical features, differential diagnosis, pathophysiology and treatment options. We also emphasise that POTS should be considered as a differential diagnosis in any patient presenting with typical clinical features, who may not be in the usual demographics of the disorder.


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