Heat intolerance and POTS

In hot weather, more blood moves toward the skin to release heat. With POTS, the body may already struggle to keep blood flow steady when you stand. Warm showers, crowded rooms, fever, and prolonged standing can therefore bring on light-headedness, fatigue, palpitations, blurred vision, or feeling faint. Heat sensitivity is not specific to POTS; hyperthyroidism, heat exhaustion, medicines, and other problems can create similar symptoms.

Use cool rooms, fans, cooling towels, loose clothing, and lukewarm rather than hot showers. Rise gradually, sit or lie down when symptoms start, and plan activity for cooler parts of the day. Follow your clinician’s individual advice about fluids, salt, compression garments, and exercise because these are not suitable for everyone, especially people with heart, kidney, or blood-pressure conditions. Do not change prescribed medicines without guidance.

Get urgent help for fainting with injury, confusion, seizure, chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or inability to keep fluids down. After heat exposure, worsening weakness, headache, vomiting, or very little urine may signal heat illness. Arrange review if episodes are new, more frequent, or different from your usual POTS pattern.

Ask how to measure your pulse and blood pressure during symptoms, which fluid or salt plan is safe for you, and whether another condition or medicine could be contributing.