What is a POTS test?

A POTS test measures how your heart rate and blood pressure respond when you stand up. We use an active stand test: you rest lying down, then stand for 10 minutes while readings are taken. POTS shows as a heart-rate rise of at least 30 beats per minute (40 at ages 12–19) without a significant fall in blood pressure.

  • No referral needed
  • 40–60 minutes, one visit
  • Report within a week
  • Bondi Junction

Expert Care You Can Trust

Our POTS testing center is run by highly experienced and dedicated specialists who understand the challenges of autonomic disorders and are committed to providing accurate diagnosis and comprehensive care.

Dr Ron Granot, Neurologist and Founder of East Neurology specializing in autonomic disorders and POTS diagnosis

Dr Ron Granot

Neurologist & Founder of East Neurology

Dr Granot is the highly experienced neurologist behind East Neurology, bringing years of specialized expertise in autonomic nervous system disorders. His dedication to accurate diagnosis and patient-centered care has made East Neurology a trusted name in neurological services.

Dr Jason Kaplan, POTS Specialist Cardiologist with expertise in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

Dr Jason Kaplan

POTS Specialist Cardiologist

Dr Kaplan is a specialist cardiologist with extensive experience in diagnosing and managing Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. His expertise in cardiac autonomic dysfunction provides patients with comprehensive cardiovascular assessment.

Book testing — self-referral welcome

You do not need a referral from your doctor. Request an appointment online in about two minutes, and we will call you to arrange a time. Testing takes 40–60 minutes.

Request an appointment →

Please note the tests themselves are not covered by a Medicare rebate. Questions? Call 02 9388 0615.

1
START

The Broken Journey

Years of Uncertainty & Misdiagnosis

5-7
YEARS average wait for POTS diagnosis

The typical delay for a Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) diagnosis is devastating. Patients spend an average of 5 to 7 years seeking answers, with some waiting over a decade. During this time, they see an average of 7 or more different doctors, each visit bringing more frustration than clarity.

Why does this happen? Common misdiagnoses include:

😰
Anxiety or Panic Disorder
This is the most frequent misdiagnosis, as symptoms like a rapid heart rate, palpitations, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness can mimic a panic attack.
😴
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME)
Significant and long-lasting fatigue is a primary symptom of POTS, leading to frequent confusion with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
😵
Vasovagal Syncope
This condition involves a temporary loss of consciousness, but unlike POTS, it typically includes a drop in blood pressure, which is absent in most POTS cases.
💢
Fibromyalgia
Due to symptom overlap including fatigue and pain syndromes, POTS patients may initially be diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
💓
Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST)
This condition is an actual heart rhythm disorder that also involves a high resting heart rate, but it is distinct from the postural-related heart rate increase that defines POTS.
😔
Depression
The debilitating nature of chronic symptoms and the lack of a clear initial diagnosis can lead to secondary depression, which is sometimes mistaken for the primary issue.

POTS symptoms (dizziness, brain fog, fatigue, rapid heart rate) are non-specific. Combined with low provider awareness, patients are dismissed, told their symptoms are psychological, or left without any diagnosis at all.

2
RECOGNIZE

Recognizing the Signs

Understanding Your Symptoms

POTS occurs when the autonomic nervous system (which controls automatic body functions like heart rate and blood pressure) doesn't work properly. When you stand up, your heart rate increases excessively (at least 30 beats per minute) without a significant drop in blood pressure.

Common POTS Symptoms:

💫
Dizziness or lightheadedness when standing
💓
Rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
🧠
Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
😰
Excessive fatigue and weakness
🤕
Headaches and neck pain
🥵
Shaking, sweating, or fainting episodes
⚠️ The Hidden Connection
Approximately 50% of POTS patients also suffer from Small Fiber Autonomic Neuropathy (damage to tiny nerve fibers that regulate heart rate, digestion, and sweating). Testing for this overlap is essential to understanding your complete health picture.
3
TEST

Our Method

Fast, Comfortable, Comprehensive Testing

⚡ The Autonomics Australia Difference
We understand your journey. We offer a private setting with rapid scheduling and expert testing. We can book your appointment and have your results within one week. We're here to end your diagnostic odyssey and start your path to management.

Our Comprehensive Testing Protocol

📊
Haemodynamics Monitoring
Precise monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate response to positional changes (lying to standing) to capture the hallmark spikes associated with POTS.
💗
Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
Non-invasive deep breathing test that provides a direct window into your autonomic nervous system's balance between "fight or flight" and "rest and digest" responses.
✋
SudoScan Technology
Revolutionary neuropathy testing: painless, rapid (under 10 minutes), no heating chambers or messy powders. Simply place hands and feet on sensor plates.
🫁
Valsalva Maneuver
This maneuver assesses cardiovagal function. You exhale forcefully into a mouthpiece to maintain a specific pressure (e.g., 40 mmHg) for a set duration (e.g., 15 seconds), while your heart rate is recorded. The heart-rate response across the manoeuvre gives the Valsalva ratio, a measure of cardiovagal function.

Modern Testing vs. Old Methods

❌
The Old Way
Thermoregulatory Sweat Test
  • Placed in heated chamber
  • Covered in color-changing powder
  • Time-consuming (1 to 2 hours)
  • Uncomfortable and demanding
  • Messy cleanup required
✓
The SudoScan Way
Modern Technology
  • Painless: No needles or shocks
  • Rapid: Under 10 minutes
  • Comfortable: Room temperature
  • Simple: Just place hands/feet
  • Clean: No powders or mess
4
DIAGNOSE

Rapid Diagnosis

From testing to a report your doctor can act on

Once testing is complete, we provide a rapid, comprehensive report detailing your results. We can book your appointment and have results within one week. A correct diagnosis is your turning point — it moves you from years of uncertainty to findings your treating doctor can act on.

Timeline Comparison: Then vs. Now

5-7
YEARS
Traditional diagnostic journey with multiple misdiagnoses
1
WEEK
Our pathway from booking to diagnosis and report

What Comes After Diagnosis?

1. A report your doctor can use: quantified results for each autonomic domain, with the pattern and what it means set out clearly.

2. Your treating doctor decides what happens next: POTS is managed in several ways, and which of them apply to you is a decision for the doctor who knows your full history. Testing here does not include a treatment plan — a consultation with Dr Granot can be arranged separately.

What this service is. Autonomic testing here is a clinical test, not a neurological consultation. You receive the testing and a structured report; your treating doctor interprets the findings and decides what happens next. Nothing here is treatment advice. A consultation with Dr Granot can be arranged separately — request an appointment or call 02 9388 0615.

✓
End the diagnostic odyssey. Start living again.

POTS testing: common questions

How do you get tested for POTS in Australia?

Book directly; no GP referral is needed. Request an appointment or call 02 9388 0615. Testing takes 40–60 minutes in one visit at Suite 301, 251 Oxford St, Bondi Junction, and a structured report goes to you and your doctor within a week.

Who can diagnose POTS in Australia?

Your GP, a cardiologist or a neurologist. The diagnosis rests on a standing test that shows the heart-rate rise, plus symptoms on standing for more than three months, once other causes such as dehydration, medications, anaemia or an overactive thyroid have been considered. Our report gives your doctor the measured findings; your doctor makes the diagnosis and plans treatment.

Is this a tilt table test?

No. We use an active stand test: you stand up on your own rather than being tilted on a motorised table. Both measure your heart rate and blood pressure while you are upright, and an active stand is an accepted way to test for POTS.

How should I prepare?

Avoid caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and heavy meals for at least four hours before your appointment. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a list of your current medications. Your GP's details help us send the report to your doctor.

Is there a Medicare rebate?

No. The tests themselves are not covered by a Medicare rebate. A consultation with Dr Granot can be arranged separately.