POTS Diagnosis and Treatment in Portland, Oregon
Struggling with Dysautonomia Symptoms? Get Comprehensive Evaluation and Care
Living with POTS can feel confusing, exhausting, and isolating, especially when symptoms are dismissed or when standard lab work appears normal. Many patients spend years searching for answers before receiving an accurate diagnosis.
Dr. Cori Burke takes a root-cause approach that focuses on understanding the underlying contributors driving symptoms. She works with teens and adults in the Portland, Oregon metro area that are experiencing symptoms of autonomic dysfunction and complex chronic illness. She loves helping her patients improve their day-to-day function and quality of life.
What is POTS?
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a form of dysautonomia, a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system that regulates heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and more. This complex condition can lead to a myriad of symptoms that often get triggered when you stand up or quickly change positions. POTS often causes not only an increase in heart rate but also feelings of lightheadedness, fatigue, and even fainting spells. As a result, these symptoms can make everyday activities feel daunting.
POTS May Co-Occur with Other Conditions
Dysuatonomia is also frequently associated with hypermobility (hEDS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), gastroparesis, neurodiversity, long COVID, and autoimmune conditions. Dr. Burke looks at the full picture to make sure nothing gets missed. Her thorough approach helps ensure that patients receive the most effective and personalized treatment plans tailored to their unique health challenges.
Ready to Get Evaluated for POTS?
Stop guessing if you have dysautonomia. Our evaluation is thorough, holistic, and designed to identify not just whether you have POTS, but also the underlying factors that may be driving it.
In order to diagnose dysautonomia, Dr. Burke uses the NASA 10 MInute Lean Test in addition to comprehensive lab work (electrolytes, thyroid, iron, catecholamine levels, autoimmune panels), and a detailed review of your symptom history and triggers.
NASA 10-Minute Lean Test
A validated, in-office assessment for dysautonomia
The NASA 10-Minute Lean Test is the cornerstone of our POTS diagnostic process. This is a simple and non-invasive, yet highly informative test that measures how your heart rate and blood pressure respond when you move from lying down to standing, which negates the need for a referral for a formal tilt-table test.
- 1You rest lying down for 10 minutes while we record baseline heart rate and blood pressure.
- 2You then stand up and lean your shoulders against a wall, for up to 10 minutes.
- 3We monitor your heart rate and blood pressure continuously throughout, noting any symptoms you experience.
- 4A sustained heart rate increase of ≥30 bpm (or ≥40 bpm in those under 19) suggests a POTS diagnosis.
- 5On the NASA 10-Minute Lean Test, we can also evaluate for orthostatic hypotension (OH), which is a significant drop in blood pressure when moving from lying down to a standing position.
Customized and Collaborative Treatments for POTS
Our integrative approach draws from functional medicine, traditional healing practices, and evidence-based interventions. Dr. Burke will work with you to layer in strategies that match your biology, your symptoms, and your health goals.