RichGotsPots Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 (edited) http://en.wikipedia....ion#cite_note-1Endothelial dysfunction is a systemic pathological state of the endothelium (the inner lining of blood vessels) and can be broadly defined as an imbalance between vasodilating and vasoconstricting substances produced by (or acting on) the endothelium.[1] Normal functions of endothelial cells include mediation of coagulation, platelet adhesion, immune function and control of volume and electrolyte content of the intravascular and extravascular spaces. Endothelial dysfunction can result from and/or contribute to several disease processes, as occurs in septic shock, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes, it can also result from environmental factors, such as from smoking tobacco products and exposure to air pollution.I found a test to check for this. If there is another test for this let me know. This may be a big help for all of us. It affect every level of POTS. The testhttp://www.itamar-me...om/EndoPAT.html Prevention and treatmentEndothelial function can be improved significantly by exercise and improved diet. A study published in 2005 has determined that a positive relationship exists between the consumption oftrans fat (commonly found in hydrogenated products such as margarine and the development of endothelial dysfunction.[3] Other factors have been identified as improving endothelial function and include cessation of smoking, loss of weight and treatment of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia amongst other things. Some studies have found antioxidants,potassium[4] and arginine supplementation to restore impaired endothelial function. Edited November 28, 2011 by thankful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icesktr189 Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Dont mean to go against this or anything... but the BEST I have felt with POTS in four years was when I was a chain smoker. I am actually the healthiest I have been in probably 10 years and also the worse symptoms wise. I dont drink, smoke, I try to exercise.... nothing has helped. But it would be interesting to look into the test.I know mine is genetic. My mom has it and autoimmune diseases run in my family. Can this be passed down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icesktr189 Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Also, I am already considered underweight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichGotsPots Posted November 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 (edited) Yea I wouldn't put a lot of weight in the treatment, they are only tipping the iceberg with that. The thing with damage to the Endo is that they are only beginning to treat it. This is new science. But first you have to figure out if you have the damage, then you can better know how to treat your POTS. If you have damage then your vascular resistance will react a certain way, that's why some POTS people can have a positive result with a beta-blocker (vaso constrictor) and some people could not. So this is not a cure to POTS but I believe it will lead doctors into making better medicine choices for all of us..http://www.itamar-me...._Near_You.htmlThis test is non-invasive, otherwise the gold standard is to get catherized and have them look at it directly, but this test seems to be a good enough indication and only take 15-20 minutes. Edited November 28, 2011 by thankful removed profanity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichGotsPots Posted November 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Dont mean to go against this or anything... but the BEST I have felt with POTS in four years was when I was a chain smoker. I am actually the healthiest I have been in probably 10 years and also the worse symptoms wise. I dont drink, smoke, I try to exercise.... nothing has helped. But it would be interesting to look into the test.I know mine is genetic. My mom has it and autoimmune diseases run in my family. Can this be passed down?Also Nicotine might aid in dilation, vascular resistance, but I dont know if its proven good in long term use. For example caffeine is a vasodilator and so are beta antagonist but in the long term they both mask the underlying problem and actually make it worse. Smoking might be a short-term solution but overall wear down your health, you should be careful with it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icesktr189 Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Dont mean to go against this or anything... but the BEST I have felt with POTS in four years was when I was a chain smoker. I am actually the healthiest I have been in probably 10 years and also the worse symptoms wise. I dont drink, smoke, I try to exercise.... nothing has helped. But it would be interesting to look into the test.I know mine is genetic. My mom has it and autoimmune diseases run in my family. Can this be passed down?Also Nicotine might aid in dilation, vascular resistance, but I dont know if its proven good in long term use. For example caffeine is a vasodilator and so are beta antagonist but in the long term they both mask the underlying problem and actually make it worse. Smoking might be a short-term solution but overall wear down your health, you should be careful with it..Oh I havent smoked in two years, but when I started weaning all my symptoms came back. I have signifigant blood pooling and bp issues (as my mom) and smoking definently helped constrict my viens and raised my bp. I slept a lot less then too (about 6 hours a night), ate pretty bad, and drank caffiene. Now I dont do any of that, but have am definently worse. I did all that for about 2 and a half years and it worked for me until I quit it. At this point I would gladly take up smoking, if it wasnt for my daughter, because my symptoms are so bad.Also, my cardiologist told me caffiene and nicotine are pretty potent vasoconstrictors, which helped raise my bp, making me feel 100 times better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icesktr189 Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Who would do the catherization? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichGotsPots Posted November 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 A coronary disease specialist. It is involved in many aspects that I copied and listed below from WikiP. Most Docs look for precursors to heart disease or heart attacks. But I've even seen dentists and Urologist testing for this...FunctionEndothelial cells are involved in many aspects of vascular biology, including:AtherosclerosisBarrier function - the endothelium acts as a selective barrier between the vessel lumen and surrounding tissue, controlling the passage of materials and the transit of white blood cells into and out of the bloodstream. Excessive or prolonged increases in permeability of the endothelial monolayer, as in cases of chronic inflammation, may lead to tissue oedema/swelling.Blood clotting (thrombosis & fibrinolysis)InflammationFormation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis)Vasoconstriction and vasodilation, and hence the control of blood pressureIn some organs, there are highly differentiated endothelial cells to perform specialized 'filtering' functions. Examples of such unique endothelial structures include the renal glomerulus and the blood-brain barrier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E246 Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Hi,Great info.Have been holding out on blanket prescriptions until i believe the doctors know what they are trying to cure. A lot of what is said does not really address my experience of the symptoms. As my main symptom is always chest pain and still have not seen a cardio i will take this info with me.Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliegee Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Interesting. I read about the test and am guessing that it might not be accurate on many of us. Those of us with hypovolemia and vasocontricted extremities can't even get accurate readings with pulse oximeters. I am doubtful that this could pick up a signal. This sort of reminds me of the testing I had to rule out peripheral arterial disease when I was last hospitalized with black fingers or toes- can't remember which My doc based her DX on the fact that I had severe Raynaud's, diastolic dysfunction, and I failed a 6 minute walk test- my sats dropped below 80% after just a few minutes. All of this occurred when I was in the best shape of my life. I was devastated. Another echo showed NO diastolic dysfunction. A pulmonologist ruled the 6-minute walk test faulty because of my Raynaud's, which I still deal with. So, do I have endothelial dysfunction? Who knows.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliegee Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Dont mean to go against this or anything... but the BEST I have felt with POTS in four years was when I was a chain smoker. I am actually the healthiest I have been in probably 10 years and also the worse symptoms wise. I dont drink, smoke, I try to exercise.... nothing has helped. But it would be interesting to look into the test.I know mine is genetic. My mom has it and autoimmune diseases run in my family. Can this be passed down?To add to this thought, I was in the best shape of my life when I was DXed. I was well enough to be running 4 to 5 miles every other day. I think Dani's right, WE don't get this from the normal risk factors- not that they can't exacerbate things. We get this as a part of our overall disease process- whatever that is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichGotsPots Posted November 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 I think I have hypovelmia (but still need to be tested for it), but I have my own pulse ox and I love it, works perfect. So I guess it depends on the person. But there is a another non-invasive measurement Dr Stewart told me he uses which is FMD measurement. All I'm saying is ask a really good vascular specialist and I'm sure there is a way to test non-invasive... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliegee Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Ha, mine gave up on me and handed me off to a looney rheumy He said I was above his pay grade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichGotsPots Posted March 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 Just an update. Vanderbilt now includes this in their research on dysautonomia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corina Posted March 29, 2013 Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 Thanks for sharing Rich, I think that's great news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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