Tachycardia in POTs

My dad gave me a heart rate monitor, which I have been wanting for a while now. I can always tell when my heart rate increases dramatically, because I feel the physical effects of it immediately. I usually feel my heart beating fast, I feel short of breath, and I feel the blood pooling to my lower extremities. I have two blood pressure monitors that also record my pulse, but they do not work when I am moving around. I knew what to expect when I put the heart rate monitor on, but I guess it still surprises me every time I see the numbers.

I always had a very low resting heart rate until I developed POTs. When I was a personal trainer, my resting heart rate stayed around 65-75bpm. Now that I am pregnant, and I have POTs, my resting heart rate has averaged around 80bpm.  This is considered below average for a healthy 25 year old woman.

A 'normal heart' rate is considered anywhere between 60 and 100.

When a person exercises, they gain the most benefits and lessen the risks when they exercise in their target heart rate zone. Usually this is when their exercise heart rate (pulse) is 60 to 80 percent of their maximum heart rate. The maximum heart rate is the highest heart rate achieved during maximal exercise. One simple method to calculate your predicted maximum heart rate, uses this formula:

220-your age = predicted maximum heart rate

For example: 220-25 (my age) = 195bpm

As as person progresses in their exercise, the percentage of their maximum heart rate can be gradually increased.

If i wanted to exercise and see a benefit, I would want my heart rate to be 60-80% of 195 while exercising:

195 x .60 = 117bpm
195 x .80 = 156bpm

HOWEVER....

I have POTs and that changes everything. As you will see in my video, my heart rate jumps almost above 80% just from standing up! A normal persons heart rate should only increase 5-10bpm upon standing. My heart rate jumps up 30+ beats, while my blood pressure drops drastically. So the question is, am I getting a workout every time I stand up? It sure feels like it!

Watch my heart rate (Sorry it is sideways!):