From SanoLabs, the makers of the Sam app
Be there for POTS without taking the lead
If your parent has POTS, it affects the autonomic nervous system: heart rate jumps on standing, often with dizziness. You can help by taking it seriously and preparing the doctor visit together.
How can you help day to day?
Ask first what helps right now. Your parent knows their own body best.
- Let them stand up slowlyOffer an arm and plan seated breaks.
- Take over long stretches of standingFor example cooking, queues or errands.
- Stay calm when symptoms hitSit down with them instead of pushing or playing it down.
- Jot down patterns in a few wordsWhen, in which position, for how long? That is enough for the visit.
Sentences that take the pressure off
You can say I believe you that this is exhausting. What would help you today?
The lead stays with your parent.
You can say I will do the standing at the shop while you sit down.
Concrete help instead of "Let me know".
You can say Shall I come to the appointment and take notes?
Your parent decides, you offer.
What do you bring to the appointment?
A single device reading proves nothing. A trend helps the conversation.
- Notes on symptomsWhen, in which position, for how long.
- Current medicationEverything your parent takes.
- Your questionsFor example about daily life and exertion.
- Trend from Apple HealthIf available, in the monthly report.
Sam for your parent
A history instead of memory gaps at the appointment
At the appointment, the last weeks are often a blur. In Sam your parent notes symptoms as they happen, and you go in with a history.
- Note symptoms in secondsYour parent taps symptoms such as dizziness, fainting or a racing heart and, for most, picks a strength from mild to severe.
- Apple Health feeds inIf your parent wears an Apple Watch, Sam reads resting heart rate, sleep and steps from Apple Health. Sam measures nothing itself.
- Monthly report to bringSam sums up the month's symptoms and Apple Health data. Your parent shares the report as a PDF.
- Share what your parent choosesWith Care Circle your parent shares areas such as symptoms or sleep. You see them read-only, and you both need Sam.
Symptoms
Sample entries
Dizziness
Racing heartbeat, Fatigue
Sleep changes
The appointment with a history instead of memory
Instead ofslips of paper with keywords that are missing at the appointment
In SamSymptoms with date and strength, summed up in a report to take along.
Instead oftelling the doctor from memory how the last weeks went
In SamSymptom days, sleep and resting heart rate sit in the same monthly report.
Instead ofscreenshots from the watch and notes in several apps
In SamSymptoms and Apple Health data in one place.
Sam records and sums up; what suits POTS is for the doctor to say.
What family members often ask
EmergencyWhen should I get help right away?+
This is general safety information, not a diagnosis. It does not tell you whether a condition is present.
- Fainting without waking up within a minute
- Chest pain
- A pounding, fluttering or irregular heartbeat after fainting
- Trouble speaking or moving, or not fully recovered
- A serious injury from the fall
If your parent has any of these, get medical help now: call your local emergency number (112 in the EU, 999 in the UK, 911 in the US). If you are unsure, call your doctor's practice or your local out-of-hours medical service. Do not use this list to decide on your own whether something is wrong.
Is POTS imagined or anxiety?+
No, the symptoms are physical: dizziness, a racing heart and exhaustion on standing are typical. Believe your parent and ask what helps.
Does a high heart rate on a watch mean POTS?+
No. A doctor makes the diagnosis, for example with a stand test that compares heart rate and blood pressure lying and standing. A single device reading proves nothing.
What may I say about fluids, salt or medication?+
Do not give your own tips on these. The treating doctor decides, and you can ask about it at the appointment.
Can Sam measure anything for POTS?+
No. Sam measures nothing itself, does not detect POTS and makes no diagnosis. Your parent enters symptoms, and Sam reads Apple Health data and sums both up for the doctor conversation.
How much should I get involved?+
Ask before you help. Your parent decides, you offer.
Sources
Last updated: October 2026
Go to the appointment with a history
Sam sums up symptoms and Apple Health data in a monthly report you can bring along.
Sam is a wellness companion, not a medical device. Sam does not diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition and does not replace a doctor. An Apple Watch does not measure blood pressure. For acute symptoms: call your local emergency number (112 in the EU, 999 in the UK, 911 in the US).