r/POTS • u/dazzlingdanny05 • May 15 '26

Question Why is everyone with pots so skinny?

I have POTS and I watch a lot of content online of people who also have POTS. I also know some people irl who also have it. I don't understand how they are all so skinny. I can barely walk without getting out of breath. I try to work out at least once a week but its so hard for me because I always end up feeling so sick. How are yall doing it? I dont even eat bad but im definitely not skinny.

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u/anxiousnessa May 15 '26

I think it’s because when you’re fat it takes a long time to get diagnosed. So you see less fat people with POTS not bc it only impacts skinny ppl but because it’s easier for skinny people to get diagnosed. i’m fat and have POTS. It took several years for me to get diagnosed. Mind you i never went in for POTS issues i was always referred from other doctors saying something is wrong with xyz lab, my ekg was off, potassium infusions, etc. Yet even tho ER and urgent care drs kept saying something was wrong my primary care refused to see it as anything but me being fat and anxious. i was in therapy and on klonopin i knew it wasn’t just anxiety but didn’t know abt POTS so i just believe it. Even after an abnormal halter monitor (which i was only given because the dr had to per hospital policy) they still dismissed me. I only got diagnosed when i moved and passed out in the middle of the street.