Differential Diagnosis for Recurrent Chest Pain, Dizziness, and Shortness of Breath in a 31-Year-Old Female
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Anxiety Disorder: This is often a common cause of recurrent chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath in young adults, especially females. The symptoms can be triggered by stress or anxiety, leading to panic attacks which manifest with these symptoms.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Asthma: Recurrent episodes of shortness of breath and chest pain could be indicative of asthma, especially if triggered by specific allergens or irritants.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD can cause chest pain and shortness of breath, particularly after eating or at night, due to acid reflux irritating the esophagus and potentially the respiratory tract.
- Mitral Valve Prolapse: A condition where the mitral valve does not close properly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness, especially if there is associated mitral regurgitation.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Pulmonary Embolism (PE): Although less common in young females without risk factors, PE is a life-threatening condition that must be considered, especially if there's a history of deep vein thrombosis, recent surgery, or immobilization.
- Myocardial Infarction (MI): Though rare in young females, MI should not be overlooked, particularly if there are risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, or a family history of early heart disease.
- Aortic Dissection: A tear in the aorta's inner layer can cause severe chest pain and potentially lead to dizziness and shortness of breath due to impaired blood flow or cardiac tamponade.
Rare Diagnoses
- Pneumothorax: A collapsed lung can cause sudden onset of chest pain and shortness of breath. It's less common but should be considered, especially if there's a history of lung disease or recent trauma.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, which can lead to obstructive symptoms and arrhythmias, causing chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A genetic disorder affecting connective tissue, which can lead to aortic root dilatation and increased risk of aortic dissection, among other cardiovascular issues.