Understanding POTS with Dr. Diana Driscoll

This Week on PodcastDX: Understanding POTS with Dr. Diana Driscoll

This week we are honored to welcome none other than Dr. Diana Driscoll, a world-renowned authority on the autonomic nervous system. An optometrist and Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO), Dr. Driscoll is internationally recognized for her groundbreaking research on Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and other conditions once thought to be “invisible.”

​ Dr. Driscoll has dedicated her career to improving the lives of those affected by autonomic disorders. Her journey began as a patient herself, battling POTS. Frustrated by the lack of answers, she self-funded much of her research to accelerate progress for patients today. That personal fight has fueled over a decade of innovation in diagnosis and treatment strategies that are transforming patient care.

​In this episode, we explore her unique perspective as both a former patient and a leading researcher. Dr. Driscoll shares her story, her research, and her vision for the future of POTS treatment.

​What is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)?

POTS is a form of orthostatic intolerance that causes the heart to beat abnormally fast when moving from sitting or lying down to standing up. Breaking down the name helps explain the condition:

• Postural: Related to body position
• Orthostatic: Related to standing upright
• Tachycardia: A heart rate above 100 beats per minute
• Syndrome: A collection of symptoms occurring together

Normally, the autonomic nervous system keeps heart rate and blood pressure stable regardless of position. In POTS, that balance is disrupted. The body struggles to constrict blood vessels and regulate heart rate properly, leading to dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, fatigue, and more.

​Who Does POTS Affect?

POTS affects an estimated 1 to 3 million Americans, most often women between the ages of 15 and 50. However, men can develop the condition as well.

Risk factors include:
• Viral or serious infections (such as mononucleosis)
• Pregnancy
• Physical trauma or surgery
• Certain autoimmune conditions (e.g., Sjögren’s syndrome, lupus, celiac disease)

​How Does POTS Affect the Body?

When standing, gravity naturally pulls 10–15% of blood into the lower body. Normally, leg muscles and hormonal responses (like the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine) help keep blood circulating back to the brain and heart.

For people with POTS, too much blood pools below the heart. Their blood vessels don’t constrict properly, forcing the heart to compensate by racing. This imbalance causes hallmark symptoms such as dizziness, exhaustion, brain fog, and even fainting.

​While POTS is not life-threatening, it can be life-altering. Daily tasks may become difficult, and symptoms often fluctuate over time. The good news: with the right combination of dietary adjustments, medications, and physical activity, many people experience meaningful improvements in their quality of life.

​Learn More

Join us as Dr. Diana Driscoll shares her remarkable journey, her patient-centered research, and her continuing mission to bring visibility and solutions to the millions living with POTS.