British model has rare syndrome where she can't stand up

A 22-year-old model in Britain suffers from a rare condition where she faints every time she stands up.

Chelsey Reynolds, from Witham, Essex, who worked as a trainee nurse and part-time model, was diagnosed with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS), which means that every time she stands up, her heart rate speeds up, causing her to pass out, the Daily Mail reported.

The PoTS is so severe that she has had to learn to walk on her knees around the house, and even carries a small stool with her wherever she goes.

"It all happened absolutely out of the blue. One minute I was working, rushing about and getting on with things, and the next thing I knew I'd fainted," Reynolds said.

"I have to use my wheelchair whenever I go out, and I've learnt to get about on my knees or my bum around the house."

Reynolds was working at a hospital in Chelmsford when she fell ill.

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) can be a life altering and debilitating chronic health condition. Symptoms include headaches, fatigue, palpitations, sweating, nausea, fainting and dizziness.

They are associated with an increase in heart rate from the lying to upright position of greater than 30 beats per minute, or a heart rate of greater than 120 beats per minute within 10 minutes of standing.