Frequently Asked Questions

No. POTS Check is a general wellness tool designed to help you track heart rate patterns during postural changes. It is not FDA-cleared and does not diagnose any medical condition. Only a qualified healthcare provider can diagnose POTS.

POTS Check uses the NASA Lean Test protocol, a peer-reviewed methodology used in research and clinical settings. However, results depend on Apple Watch sensors, which are consumer-grade and not validated for medical diagnosis. Factors like watch fit, skin tone, and movement can affect accuracy. Results should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

No. This app provides screening results that indicate whether your heart rate response is consistent with POTS criteria. Only a qualified healthcare provider can diagnose POTS after a comprehensive evaluation that rules out other causes.

Yes! POTS Check is completely free with no subscriptions, in-app purchases, or hidden fees. Both Guest Mode and Secure Account are available at no cost.

Yes. POTS Check requires an Apple Watch (watchOS 11.0 or later) to measure your heart rate during the test. You also need an iPhone (iOS 18.6 or later).

The test runs for 16+ minutes and uses continuous heart rate monitoring, which can drain the battery. We recommend at least 30% charge to ensure the test completes successfully.

No. Apple Watch does not measure blood pressure. POTS Check allows you to manually enter blood pressure readings if you have a separate BP cuff. BP tracking is optional but can help detect orthostatic hypotension or hypertension.

Guest Mode:

• No account required
• Single test at a time (new test replaces previous)
• Data stored in memory only (deleted when session ends)
• PDF export with "Guest Mode" watermark

Secure Account:

• Unlimited test history
• Data encrypted on your device
• Trend charts and analysis
• Health Profile import from Apple Health
• Professional PDF reports

Both options are completely free.

Testing frequency depends on your situation. Some users test periodically to track patterns, while others test when symptoms change. Discuss testing frequency with your healthcare provider. For trending purposes, testing at the same time of day under similar conditions provides the most useful comparisons.

POTS Check is designed for users ages 13 and older. The screening criteria are validated for ages 13+ with age-specific thresholds:

• Pediatric (13-19): POTS-consistent if ΔHR ≥40 bpm
• Adult (20+): POTS-consistent if ΔHR ≥30 bpm

Users ages 13-17 should use the app with parental guidance.

Yes! You can export your test results as a PDF report to share with your healthcare provider. The PDF includes heart rate data, age-based analysis, any symptoms logged, blood pressure readings (if entered), and posture quality score.

"POTS-consistent pattern" means your heart rate increase during the test met or exceeded the threshold for your age group (30+ bpm for adults, 40+ bpm for pediatric). This is not a diagnosis — it indicates your results are consistent with POTS criteria and warrant discussion with a healthcare provider.

Yes. POTS Check is designed with privacy-first principles:

• All data stays on your device (no cloud upload)
• Secure Account data is encrypted at rest (AES-256-GCM)
• We never sell your health data to third parties
• Optional anonymous analytics (can disable in Settings)
• You control all data export and deletion

Read our full Privacy Policy

The app accesses heart rate data from your Apple Watch via HealthKit during the test to calculate your screening results. This data is used only for app functionality and is never used for advertising or shared with third parties.

Yes. You have full control over your data:

• Guest Mode: Data is automatically deleted when you end your session
• Secure Account: Go to Settings → Delete All Data

Deleted data cannot be recovered.

• Ensure your Apple Watch is paired with your iPhone
• Check that both devices are connected via Bluetooth
• Restart both devices
• Re-install the Watch app if needed

• Verify HealthKit permissions: iOS Settings → Privacy → Health → POTS Check
• Ensure "Heart Rate" read permission is enabled
• Keep Watch app open during the test
• Wait for sync to complete after the test (can take 30-60 seconds)