Exercise and POTS

Exercise is commonly recommended by physicians as a treatment for POTS, however, it can be quite controversial with patients. This video shares exercises suggested by POTS specialist, Dr. Satish Raj, with a patient's point of view. It is important to remember that everyone's body and symptoms are different and to consult your physician before starting any kind of exercise regimen.

Visit the link below to watch Dr. Raj's full presentation on POTS. It is a great resource if you are newly diagnosed to learn more about the condition.

[marianne-qc]

I bought a rowing machine. I’m at week 1! I don’t see improvements of symptoms but it feels amazing to be able to exercise without feeling like I’m dying! Its kind of great for my self esteem honestly!

[kellyrudolph]

I didn't know you had a channel about POTS! I'm your kayaking friend from the Cleveland & Catawba Boat Shows! Kayaking has changed my life with NCS & POTS. I have not passed out in over two years since I started paddling!

[davidrogers]

Thanks for the video! My POTS is fortunately only moderately bad compared to some people. I am able to do 30-60 min walks most mornings, and also do 30 mins of strength training, consisting of slow knee push-ups, hollow body ab exercises, bicep curls and dead lifts most days.

Dr Shawn Baker recently advised me that one of the things I could try to improve my autonomic nervous system (that may be dysfunctional and giving my POTS) was exercise. I was already doing 1 set of the above exercises most days, but I decided to increase my strength training to be 3 sets of two of the above exercises each day, alternating which exercises I do from day-to-day. Surprisingly, I noticed straight away my fatigue in the afternoons was not as bad as it had previously been (I'm usually needing to lie down by lunchtime most days).

The other thing that has helped me do more strength training is to listen to energising music whilst doing the Wim Hof Method breathing exercises before I do my 1st set of exercises. This usually gives me a significant boost in mental & physical energy as well as motivation to do my strength training. I'm visualising my body being healed whilst doing the Wim Hof breathing exercises.

[eponawarrior]

Exercising with POTS as a former athlete is such a challenge because you go into it thinking you should push to failure and it's easy to beat yourself up for not being able to do a "normal" routine. When I gave up on exercise and just focused on little goals, like cleaning my house and meal prepping, I got stronger. How we see exercise has to meet in the middle with our level of ability at any given time. That's been the hardest thing for me to learn and accept.

[WearySecret]

Recombinant bike after one use gave me a week long flare. However I can walk a mile in 25 minutes. I'm at 6 months into a schedule of my own and I can Zumba 30 minutes plus 20 for warm up and cool down. I'm in my late 40s. I've given up on Dysautomia doctors.

[chrisduncan]

I developed POTS symptoms after having covid and exercise seems to be the one thing that has helped. Although it needs to be within a certain level to avoid making symptoms worse, while very gradually increasing duration. I'm pretty much back to normal but it feels like I have to keep exercising regularly to prevent a return of symptoms. POTS may not be deconditioning but, for me at least, getting to a higher level of fitness seems to make symptoms go away where even two weeks of being sedentary seems to make them return. It also helps to not focus on symptoms (like not monitoring my heart rate or reading forums all the time), since that creates a feedback loop that only makes things worse.

[spursstarwarssupernova]

I have a standard stationary bike, and I put a chair behind it and pedal from behind. Just in case anyone has a stationary bike but not a recumbent bike ❤

[spursstarwarssupernova]

Exercise has only made everything worse for me. I did a ton of sports and still ended up with pots despite how fit I was. I exercised very consistently for a couple years and I have only gotten worse with time. I’m so tired of these doctors.

[nancyhueber]

My usual challenge is resulting EDS pain from these activities (knees complaining after recumbent exercise bike, for example). I will lower the resistance!

[JP-vxsr]

I have post exertional malaise, where i get profound neurological issues after exercising

[marky_point]

Thanks for this great video

What's the main reason exercise is believed to help pots? Is it because it can increase blood volume?

I have a rower and I've been doing 15 mins, 3 times a week. I'll carefully try 4x30m as the dr suggested

[Saravon]

I have POTS and End Stage Non Alcoholic cirhossis and my doctors tell me not to exercise. I just need to exercise to lose 15lbs. so all my clothes fit. I do have severe health issues but have no access to pools year round and I live in the bay area, no room for recumbent bike. Why don't they want us doing cardio even light?? This is so frustrating for me.

[astonlance]

I would advise people with Pots to stop eating complexed Carbs..and over all try to eat very clean. That has made my symptoms very manageable. I didn't realize at first but eating really large meals or things like bread, pasta, rice etc..anything thats made from flour made my symptoms 50% worse. Try to eat fruits, vegetables and drink spring water with watermelon or cucumber blended in it[for better absorption]. I don't eat meat but im sure eating baked chicken or turkey would be best for those who are meat eaters without it causing the issues complex carbs do. I can say i noticed a very big difference within 3 days.. its because our small intestine uses alot more blood to break down complex foods and or larger Meals..mix that with pots and ur symptoms will be Hellish. So please eat clean and eat smaller meals and those could give you alot of relief.

[Melapoo]

I'm trying to find a recumbent bike that folds up easily. I have no place to keep one out all the time, but if I could out it in a closet or corner when not using it that would be great. I just bought a house with a pool but didn't get a lot of use out of it this summer. Hoping for more use next summer. Doc discouraged row machine due to back issues I have.

[tinyty]

Sigh wish I had the money for the bike.. I’m still trying to get a scooter for going out places like malls and things that could help me … bike second then to my list ✅

[rachelscott]

I was diagnosed with pots few months ago.

[JuliannCollins-rbxu]

Is it better to do 4 days in a row (rowing machine) or can I do Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday/Sunday?

[Tom_from_Midtown]

How do beta blockers affect exercising with Pots?

[anjolotito]

Thank you for your video i have dysautonomia post covid, I’m going to try with the bike, because i really feel bad almost all the time 🥲🥲

[rachelscott]

they told me to take salt tablets and drink lots and lots of water.