Salt packets are a young British woman's lifeline

Doctors diagnosed British woman Katie Phillips with a rare condition at the age of 21, after she lost consciousness and fainted while out running.

Physicians initially believed she had suffered a heart attack, but later discovered she had vasovagal syncope and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), for which they found no solution other than for her to carry salt packets with her at all times. Her heart rate fluctuates sharply — from 60 to nearly 200 beats per minute — and her blood pressure spikes suddenly, which can trigger an abrupt fainting episode.

Katie, now 26, regularly takes salt packets to help her manage the condition.

"I always carry salt sachets with me in case of any trembling episode," she says.