If you live with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), you may notice something unsettling as summer rolls around: your symptoms get worse. You’re not imagining it. The heat really can intensify the struggles of daily life for POTS patients. But why does hot weather make everything feel so much harder?
Let’s break it down simply and clearly—so you understand the science, know what to expect, and learn how to protect your health when the temperature rises.
What Is POTS?
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a form of dysautonomia, meaning it affects the autonomic nervous system—the part of your body that controls automatic functions like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation.
The hallmark symptom of POTS is a rapid increase in heart rate (30+ beats per minute in adults) when standing up. This change in position can trigger a storm of symptoms: dizziness, nausea, fatigue, shakiness, brain fog, and even fainting.
While many patients seek POTS treatment in MD or beyond to manage symptoms, the weather—especially hot weather—can still make things feel a lot worse.
Why Heat Makes POTS Symptoms Worse
1. Dilated Blood Vessels and Lower Blood Pressure
Heat causes your body’s blood vessels to expand (dilate) in order to cool you down. That’s normal. But for people with POTS, this vasodilation can cause blood to pool in the legs and lower body, reducing the amount of blood that returns to the brain and heart when you stand up.
The result? Your body responds by cranking up your heart rate even more to compensate. That’s already the core problem in POTS—now made worse by the summer heat.
2. Dehydration
Even mild dehydration can worsen symptoms in someone with POTS. But in hot weather, dehydration happens fast. You sweat more, especially if you’re outside or active. And unless you’re consistently replacing those fluids and electrolytes, your blood volume drops.
Lower blood volume = more pronounced orthostatic intolerance.
This makes dizziness, fatigue, and even fainting more likely—especially if you’re already struggling with postural orthostatic tachycardic syndrome in MD’s humid summers.
3. Electrolyte Imbalances
Along with fluid loss, sweat carries away electrolytes like sodium and potassium—critical players in nerve function, blood pressure control, and heart rhythm regulation.
When you don’t replenish those electrolytes, your body can’t regulate blood pressure or nerve signals properly, making POTS symptoms like palpitations and shakiness more intense.
4. Impaired Thermoregulation
People with POTS often have a harder time regulating their core temperature. That’s part of the autonomic dysfunction. In hot weather, your body may not be able to cool down efficiently, and overheating can make symptoms spiral.
You may feel flushed, dizzy, disoriented, or faint just from stepping outside—or even from being in a warm room without proper airflow.
5. Stress Response and Symptom Flare-Ups
Heat puts physical stress on your body. When your internal systems are already out of balance, that stress can lead to flare-ups of fatigue, brain fog, nausea, and heart palpitations.
For some patients, the combination of heat, dehydration, and standing can trigger what feels like a full-body crash—leaving them bedridden for hours or days.
Real-Life Signs That Heat Is Making POTS Worse
Not sure if it’s the temperature or just a bad day? These are common heat-related flare-up signs in POTS patients:
- You feel lightheaded as soon as you step outside.
- You sweat excessively, or paradoxically, don’t sweat at all.
- Your heart races faster than usual even at rest.
- Brain fog makes it hard to concentrate or speak clearly.
- You feel shaky, weak, or nauseous in the heat.
- You experience more frequent near-faints or collapses.
How to Manage POTS in Hot Weather
There’s no quick fix—but there are proven ways to reduce the impact of heat and maintain more stable functioning.
1. Hydrate Before You Dehydrate
Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. POTS patients should be drinking 2–3 liters of fluids per day, especially in the heat. Add electrolytes—not just water. Use sports drinks, electrolyte packets, or salt tablets as recommended by your provider.
If you’re working with a POTS doctor in Maryland MD, they may tailor your fluid and salt intake to match your personal needs and climate.
2. Use Cooling Products
Cooling vests, neck wraps, cooling towels, or portable fans can help regulate body temperature when you’re outside. Even running cold water on your wrists or keeping a chilled water bottle with you can help in a pinch.
3. Plan Around the Heat
Avoid outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when temperatures peak. Run errands in the early morning or evening. Use AC, shade, and fans liberally indoors. If you have to be outdoors, take frequent breaks in cool areas and don’t hesitate to sit or lie down if symptoms spike.
4. Dress for the Weather (and Your Body)
Choose loose, breathable fabrics. Lightweight clothes in light colors will reflect heat rather than trap it. Avoid heavy or dark materials that increase core temperature.
Some patients benefit from compression garments like abdominal binders or compression stockings to help prevent blood pooling in the legs—especially when combined with hydration and salt intake.
5. Keep a Symptom Journal
Tracking your symptoms during hot days vs. cooler days can help you identify patterns and make smarter decisions about your routines. Your doctor can also use that information to adjust your care plan—especially if you’re seeing a POTS specialist MD familiar with temperature-related flare-ups.
When to Call Your Doctor
Don’t write off every dizzy spell as “just the heat.” Contact your doctor if you notice:
- New or worsening symptoms despite managing hydration and heat exposure.
- Frequent fainting or near-fainting episodes.
- Signs of severe dehydration (dry mouth, dark urine, confusion).
- Unmanageable fatigue or increased heart rate at rest.
If you haven’t already connected with a POTS doctor accepting new patients MD, summer may be the time to do it. Having a specialist on your side can make a huge difference when symptoms fluctuate with the seasons.
You’re Not Weak—The Heat Is Just Extra Hard for Your Body
It’s easy to get discouraged when you feel worse during the summer months. You may feel isolated, frustrated, or even judged when others don’t understand why “just a warm day” knocks you down for hours.
But remember this: Your body is working twice as hard just to stay upright—and heat adds another challenge on top of that. You’re not weak. You’re managing something most people don’t even have to think about.
With the right tools, the right knowledge, and support from a knowledgeable provider, you can navigate summer more safely and confidently.
Final Thought
For those with postural orthostatic tachycardic syndrome MD, managing symptoms is a year-round job—but summer demands special attention. Knowing why heat makes POTS worse gives you the power to prevent flare-ups, protect your health, and improve your quality of life—even on the hottest days.
If you’re looking for personalized guidance, a POTS doctor in Maryland MD can help tailor your treatment plan and keep you feeling as stable as possible during the heat waves.
