Annabelle

My name is Annabelle, and I have Hyperadrenergic PoTS and Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST).

In March 2025, I began feeling constantly dizzy, having palpitations and generally feeling unwell. I initially thought it could be iron deficiency, but my blood tests came back normal.

Over the next few months, my health deteriorated. I attended A&E multiple times with intense chest pain, only to be sent home with “anxiety” and “stress”. Being repeatedly dismissed was isolating and frightening, especially when I knew something wasn’t right. 

By summer 2025, I was extremely unwell and was admitted to a cardiac unit, where I was diagnosed with IST and started on low dose Ivabradine. After later seeing a neurologist, who said my long list of symptoms align with PoTS, I underwent a tilt table test. During this my heart rate rose to 170 bpm and my blood pressure spiked to 164/121. I was finally diagnosed with Hyperadrenergic PoTS. It had taken nine months to get answers.

Those months were some of the hardest of my life. After being healthy and active for 20 years, suddenly being unable to exercise took a significant toll on my mental health. I was scared and genuinely believed I had a serious heart condition. PoTS causes so much new anxiety, especially about leaving the house, because you never know when an episode is going to happen in public.

Life now looks very different. I can no longer walk uphill or take the stairs without pain and symptoms flaring. Everyday activities require planning and pacing. I always have to consider accessibility options when using transport or going out, which is never something I had to do before. However, I am learning that I can still enjoy life whilst living with a chronic illness, and it has made me appreciate things a lot more.

My goal this year is to raise as much money as I can for PoTS and really help people to understand the silent condition that affects so many.