Salt Questions · Health & nutrition
Why do doctors recommend salt tablets for POTS patients?
Short answer
In postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), many patients have low blood volume, and their heart races when they stand up. Extra salt, together with plenty of fluids, helps the body hold more water in the bloodstream, which can ease dizziness and a racing heart. Doctors set the amount individually because it is far above normal guidelines.
Why extra salt can help in POTS
- 1Extra salt plus fluids
- 2Body holds more water in the blood
- 3More blood returns to the heart on standing
- 4Less dizziness and racing heart
What POTS is
POTS is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. When a person stands, blood pools in the lower body, and the heart speeds up sharply to compensate, causing dizziness, light-headedness, fatigue and brain fog.
How salt helps
Sodium helps the body keep water in the blood vessels. More blood volume means more blood returns to the heart on standing, so the heart doesn't have to race as much. Salt tablets or electrolyte drinks are often used with:
- drinking more fluid each day,
- compression garments,
- gradual exercise programmes, and
- medication in some cases.
Important
High salt intake isn't safe for everyone, especially people with high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease. Only add salt tablets on a doctor's advice.
Related on The Salt Almanac
More health & nutrition questions
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Cite this page
For school projects and reports. Teachers often prefer the original sources too: see the list below.
The Salt Almanac. (2026, November 8). Why do doctors recommend salt tablets for POTS patients. https://saltalmanac.com/answers/why-do-doctors-recommend-salt-tablets-for-pots-patients
“Why do doctors recommend salt tablets for POTS patients.” The Salt Almanac, 8 Nov. 2026, saltalmanac.com/answers/why-do-doctors-recommend-salt-tablets-for-pots-patients. Accessed [today's date].
“Why do doctors recommend salt tablets for POTS patients.” The Salt Almanac. Last modified November 8, 2026. https://saltalmanac.com/answers/why-do-doctors-recommend-salt-tablets-for-pots-patients.
Original sources
- Harvard Health Publishing. POTS: diagnosing and treating this dizzying syndrome. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/pots-diagnosing-and-treating-this-dizzying-syndrome-202110062611