Can sugar influence POTS?
Yes, there is evidence that high sugar consumption can lead to worsening symptoms of POTS.
The heart rate after sugar consumption can be around 20% higher than the normal range [1]. It leads to an increase and also to more pronounced differences in POTS.
However, the exact impact of sugar on POTS needs more studies to be fully understood.
What is hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia is also known as low blood sugar. It occurs when the glucose concentration in the blood decreases below the normal level. This condition is often linked with insulin treatment [2, 3].
Biochemically, hypoglycemia is defined as a plasma glucose concentration equal to or below 54 mg/dL (3 mmol/l) for diabetic patients [4]. For people without diabetes, hypoglycemia typically refers to a blood glucose level lower than 55 mg/dL [5].
What is POTS?
POTS stands for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. It is a disorder that affects the autonomic nervous system. POTS leads to an abnormally high heart rate when standing up [6].
There are two main diagnostic criteria for POTS. The first is if there is an increase in heart rate of 30 beats per minute or more upon standing. The second is if the heart rate reaches 120 beats per minute or higher during a test called the head-up tilt test. [7, 8].
POTS can affect anyone, but it is more common in women. The highest incidence is among women in their 20s and 30s [9].
Symptoms of POTS
The syndrome of postural orthostatic tachycardia is characterized by a wide range of symptoms. Among them are:
- lightheadedness,
- palpitations,
- fatigue,
- generalized weakness,
- anxiety,
- exercise intolerance,
- heaviness in the legs [10, 9].
Additional symptoms include pre-syncope and syncope [10], and POTS can also cause headaches. These can be mild or severe and even cause blurred vision [11, 12].
The fatigue caused by POTS can be severe and can significantly lower quality of life. It can lead to problems with focus and even thinking [11, 12].
Additionally, POTS can cause nausea and vomiting [12]. Some patients with POTS can have chest pain and difficulty breathing [12].
Is there a link between POTS and hypoglycemia?
POTS and hypoglycemia are not directly linked. However, POTS may be initially recognized as hypoglycemia, because both conditions cause similar symptoms. Among the shared symptoms of POTS and hypoglycemia are:
In suspected cases of hypoglycemia, an actual diagnosis is crucial to prevent misdiagnosis.
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Can hypoglycemia cause POTS?
At the moment, there is no evidence suggesting that hypoglycemia can lead to POTS. No such cases were documented. However, hypoglycemia can affect the cardiovascular system. Hypoglycemia can increase the risk of arrhythmias and thrombotic tendencies. This is true, particularly for diabetics [15, 16].