Living with PoTS: The Struggles, the Misunderstandings, and How an Awareness Card Can Help

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, or PoTS, affects the body’s ability to regulate blood flow, leading to a rapid heart rate when standing. This sudden change can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, and even fainting. The unpredictability of symptoms makes daily life difficult, turning simple tasks into major challenges.

For many, PoTS isn’t just about feeling dizzy. It comes with chronic fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and a constant need to monitor symptoms. A walk through a grocery store or waiting in line at a coffee shop can be exhausting. The hardest part? Most people have never heard of PoTS, leading to confusion when symptoms appear in public.

Trying to explain a medical condition while feeling unwell is frustrating. This is where a PoTS awareness card can make a real difference.

PoTS is often invisible. Someone may appear fine one moment and suddenly need to sit down or leave a crowded space the next. When symptoms strike, a simple explanation can help avoid unnecessary questions, doubt, or judgment.

Carrying a PoTS awareness card can help in everyday situations:

• Quick communication – Instead of explaining your symptoms while feeling unwell, you can show your card for immediate understanding.
• Getting help faster – If you need a seat, assistance, or a moment to recover, an awareness card makes the request clear.
• Avoiding misunderstandings – Many people mistake PoTS symptoms for anxiety or dehydration. A card ensures that others recognize your condition as a medical issue.
• Useful in emergencies – If you faint or feel too weak to speak, the card informs bystanders and first responders about your condition.

Having a card on hand means you don’t have to worry about how to explain your condition in a stressful situation. It makes life just a little bit easier.

For many people with PoTS, one of the biggest challenges is dealing with how others perceive their condition. It’s exhausting to constantly justify why you need to sit down or why standing in a long line isn’t an option.

A PoTS awareness card gives you the freedom to ask for help without needing to go into a long explanation. Whether you're boarding a plane, checking out at a store, or waiting for public transportation, having a simple way to communicate your condition can reduce stress and make interactions smoother.

It also helps in situations where time is limited. Instead of struggling to explain why you feel unwell, you can present your card and move forward with confidence.

Most people don’t know what PoTS is, which means they don’t recognize the symptoms. By carrying an awareness card, you’re not only helping yourself—you’re also spreading awareness of an often-overlooked condition.

Each time someone sees the card, it’s an opportunity for education. The more people learn about PoTS, the more understanding and support people with the condition will receive.

Carry a PoTS Awareness Card from The Card Project US and Take Control of Your Day

Life with PoTS is challenging, but small tools can make a big difference. An awareness card helps you navigate daily situations with less stress, giving you a way to communicate your condition when you need support.

If you live with PoTS, having a card on hand can provide reassurance, make public spaces more manageable, and help in emergencies. Get your PoTS awareness card today and carry confidence wherever you go.