POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) is a form of dysautonomia where the autonomic nervous system doesn't regulate heart rate properly when you change positions. Standing up can cause heart racing, dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue.

How does breathing help POTS?

Slow, controlled breathing at approximately 6 breaths per minute activates the vagus nerve and improves heart rate variability. This helps downregulate the sympathetic nervous system response that causes tachycardia in POTS patients.

What is the Physiological Sigh?

The Physiological Sigh is a double-inhale through the nose followed by a long exhale through the mouth. Research shows it is one of the fastest known techniques for reducing autonomic arousal, and can interrupt a tachycardia episode in under a minute.

What is the CHOP Modified Dallas Protocol?

The CHOP Modified Dallas Protocol is the most evidence-based exercise rehabilitation program for POTS, developed at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. It involves progressive exercise starting from recumbent positions and gradually building to upright activity over several months.

Yes. Deflare requires no account, stores all data locally on your device, has no tracking or analytics, no cloud sync, and HealthKit access is completely optional.

Deflare ‚Äî Breathing App for POTS & Dysautonomia | Feel Better in 30 Seconds

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Built by someone who gets it

Your heart is racing. We can help.

Q: Is Deflare a medical device?

No. Deflare is an educational breathing app. It provides guided breathing protocols and educational content as complementary practices. It does not diagnose or treat any condition. Always consult your care team.

Deflare is the only breathing app designed specifically for POTS and dysautonomia. Guided protocols that actually work for your nervous system — not generic deep breathing that makes it worse.

100% free to start. No account. No tracking.

Evidence-based protocols Zero data collection Free during flares

Not a medical device — complementary breathing support

deflare Your daily companion for
POTS & dysautonomia

50% of POTS patients get worse with deep breathing. Most apps don't know this. Deflare does. Our protocols use controlled, gentle pacing — never forced deep breaths — with safety reminders built in.

"I used to panic during flares because I didn't know what to do. Now I open Deflare and it walks me through it step by step."

— Living with POTS for 3 years

"Finally an app that understands that deep breathing makes my heart race MORE. The physiological sigh actually helps."

— Diagnosed after COVID

"The CHOP exercise program tracker alone is worth it. Having everything in one place instead of scattered PDFs changed my routine."

— POTS + EDS patient

Deflare Today screen showing breathing protocol recommendation, quick sigh, hydration and sodium tracking

Your daily dashboard

Deflare Insights screen showing activity calendar, session stats, and adherence tracking

Track your progress

Deflare Build screen showing CHOP-aligned exercise program with recumbent bike and rowing options

CHOP exercise program

Deflare Learn screen showing POTS education articles about flares, sleep, exercise, and hydration

POTS education library

Deflare Build Program view showing 8-month progressive exercise plan with heart rate zones

Progressive training plan

Physiological Sigh

Interrupt a tachycardia episode in under a minute. Always free.

Live Heart Rate

Watch your heart rate drop in real time. Share your results.

Flare Support

Step-by-step crisis flow: lie down, breathe, hydrate, salt, cool down.

You deserve a tool that gets it

Crisis protocols are always free. No account needed. No data collected. Just open and breathe.

Requires iOS 17 or later

7 breathing protocols

Physiological Sigh

30 sec Free

Double inhale, long exhale. Fastest known reset.

Emergency Stabilize

3 min Free

Interrupt an acute stress response. Right now.

Stabilize

5 min Free

Your daily anchor. Settle and stay grounded.

Calm

5 min

Slow a racing mind when you're wired or anxious.

Deep Calm

10 min

Extended session for high-stress days.

Recover

10 min

When you've been running empty all day.

Evening Rest

8 min

Wind down and transition into rest.

CHOP-aligned exercise program

Level 1

Foundation

Recumbent. No gravity.

Free

Level 2

Building

Seated. Light challenges.

Level 3

Conditioning

Standing intervals.

Level 4

Maintenance

Long-term resilience.

Privacy-first. Safety-aware.

Your data stays yours

No account required
All data stored locally on your device
No tracking, no analytics, no cloud sync

Hyperventilation-safe

Safety reminders during sessions
Crisis protocols always free, never gated
Built for the 50% who get worse with deep breathing

Crisis tools are always free

Free Forever

Essential tools for POTS management

Stabilize Flow (flare step-by-step)
Physiological Sigh (30-sec reset)
Emergency Stabilize (3 min)
Smart check-in & recommendations
Full education library (10 articles)
Build program Level 1

Download free

Premium

$4.99/month

Cancel anytime

Stabilize 5-min daily anchor
Calm & Deep Calm (5–10 min)
Evening Rest (8-min wind-down)
Recover (10-min deep reset)
Full 8-month CHOP exercise program
12 guided audio sessions
Live heart rate during sessions
Shareable result cards

Start free, upgrade anytime

Crisis tools are always free, even without a subscription. You'll never hit a paywall when you're crashing or having a flare.

Frequently asked questions

What if deep breathing makes my POTS worse?

We know. About 50% of POTS patients have a breathing-sensitive subtype. Deflare asks about this during setup and shows safety reminders. Our protocols use gentle pacing — never forced deep breaths.

Is it really free?

The crisis tools are always free: Physiological Sigh, Emergency Stabilize, and the full Stabilize Flow. No paywall during a flare, ever. Premium ($4.99/mo) adds extended sessions, audio guides, and the full CHOP exercise program.

Do I need an Apple Watch?

No. The app works fully without one. An Apple Watch adds live heart rate display during sessions and before/after comparisons, but it's optional.

Is my data private?

Yes. No account, no tracking, no cloud sync. Everything stays on your device. We don't collect or sell any data.

Is Deflare a medical device?

No. It's a complementary breathing tool. Always consult your care team for medical decisions about managing POTS.

The next flare doesn't have to feel helpless

Download Deflare now and have a plan ready before you need it. Free core tools, no account, no tracking.

Requires iOS 17 or later