Right now, we’re in the middle of a heatwave here in the UK — and if you live with a chronic illness like POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), you’ll know just how unbearable that can be.
Unlike countries built for warm weather, our homes are designed to retain heat. There’s barely any air conditioning anywhere — not in shops, not in schools, and definitely not in most homes. And when the heat hangs around for a few days, our living spaces turn into ovens. It’s exhausting for anyone, but for people like me — living with POTS — it can quickly become dangerous.
What Is POTS?
POTS is a form of dysautonomia — a condition that affects the autonomic nervous system. This part of your body is meant to do things automatically like regulate your heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature. But in POTS, it doesn’t always work the way it should.
When I stand up, my heart rate shoots up by 30 beats per minute or more. My blood pressure can drop. I get dizzy, lightheaded, and sometimes feel like I’ll faint. Even on a normal day, it takes careful management to keep symptoms in check.
But throw in a heatwave? It becomes a whole new level of challenge.
Why Heat Makes POTS So Much Worse
Here’s what happens:
Your blood vessels widen in hot weather to try and cool your body. But for people with POTS, this makes it even harder to get blood back up to the brain, which means more dizziness and fainting. You sweat more, which leads to dehydration. That’s a problem for everyone, but for those of us who already need more fluids and salt than average, it can tip us into a full-blown flare. The autonomic nervous system is already struggling, and heat adds extra pressure. It can lead to overheating, brain fog, fatigue, nausea, and even blacking out. Exhaustion hits harder, and for longer. Something that feels tiring for others can wipe us out for a day (or more).
And one thing many people don’t realise is that people with POTS often need a lot more salt than the average person. Salt helps us retain fluid and maintain blood volume. But when we’re sweating more, the amount we usually take just isn’t enough.
What Happened to Me Yesterday
Yesterday, I was helping out at my husband’s running club — we were running a cake stall to raise money for a local prematurity charity. I was really looking forward to supporting such an important cause, but I knew the heat could be an issue.
So, I tried to plan ahead.
That morning, I was already starting to feel like my salt levels were low — you get to know your body when you live with POTS. So I ordered a delivery of salty snacks and electrolyte drinks to the venue, hoping they’d arrive in time to keep me stable.
I also added something for me to enjoy — a gluten-free lemon curd cake. My plan was to have a slice to help regulate my blood sugar and keep me going in the heat, then sell the rest to raise extra money.
But the delivery never came.
It was marked as “delivered,” but nothing ever showed up. And that small delivery — the one I was depending on — could have genuinely saved me from what happened next.
Without the extra salt and hydration, the heat quickly got on top of me. I became dizzy, lightheaded, and started to feel like I was going to pass out. I had to stop what I was doing. A medic was called. And there I was, sitting in the shade, trying not to faint, feeling overwhelmed and a bit heartbroken — not just because I felt awful, but because I’d really been looking forward to that slice of lemon curd cake too.
When you have a condition like POTS, you make lots of tiny plans to stay safe. And when even one of them falls through, everything can unravel. That was yesterday for me.
Parenting with a Chronic Illness in a Heatwave
Parenting is hard. Parenting while living with a chronic illness like POTS is even harder. Add a UK heatwave into the mix and it can feel near-impossible.
You still want to do the things — help at events, show up for your child, keep the house running. But sometimes your body just says “no,” and that can be hard to accept. Especially when it feels invisible to everyone else.
If you’re like me and you’re struggling in this heat, I want to say this clearly:
You are not lazy. You are not failing. You are managing something that most people never have to think about.
Be gentle with yourself. Go slow. Prioritise the things that matter most — like staying upright, hydrated, and safe.
Tips That Help Me During Hot Weather
Here are some practical things that help me manage when the weather is too hot to cope:
Electrolytes in water – Add rehydration salts or electrolyte powders to every bottle. Not just plain water. Extra salt – You’ll likely need more than usual. Crisps, salt tablets, salted popcorn — get creative. Use fans – Portable handheld ones are great. Neck fans, cooling towels, and mist sprays help too. Stay indoors during peak heat – Between 11am–3pm, if you can. Light, breathable clothes – Cotton or linen are best. Avoid anything tight. Sit down often – Break up your day. Lying down if needed is not giving up — it’s self-preservation. Listen to your body – Don’t push through when your body is waving red flags.
Final Thoughts
POTS is difficult enough to manage on a good day. Add extreme heat, and it can feel unmanageable. Yesterday reminded me just how quickly things can unravel, even when you’ve tried to plan for everything.
To anyone else struggling in this heatwave — please know you’re not alone. I see you. And I hope this blog helps you feel even a little bit more understood.
If this resonated with you, please like, share, and subscribe to stay updated on real, honest blogs about life with chronic illness, parenting, and neurodivergence.
Let’s keep showing up — in whatever way we can — even if sometimes that just means surviving the day.
References
NHS: Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) Dysautonomia International PoTS UK STARS Charity – Heart Rhythm Alliance
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