Grant: CIHR-ICRH Travel Awards - General pool

The research I will be presenting focuses on patients diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). POTS is a chronic, debilitating condition primarily affecting young females. On standing, patients experience excessive increases in heart rate and pre-syncopal symptoms. Patients also experience orthostatic hyperventilation leading to low CO2 (i.e., hypocapnia). Hypocapnia causes cerebral vasoconstriction and reduced brain blood flow leading to syncope. My research is exploring mechanisms driving orthostatic hyperventilation in these patients. My research aligns with the ICRH mandate as it supports research related to a chronic health condition involving the heart, lungs, and brain.