Differential Diagnosis for Heart Palpitations after Eating Chicken at Chick-fil-A

• Single Most Likely Diagnosis
  • Food allergy or intolerance: This could be an allergic reaction to a specific ingredient in the chicken or another component of the meal, such as MSG, which is sometimes used in food preparation and can cause palpitations in sensitive individuals.
• Other Likely Diagnoses
  • Caffeine or stimulant sensitivity: If the patient consumed a caffeinated beverage or a stimulant-containing food item along with their meal, this could lead to heart palpitations.
  • Anxiety or stress: Eating at a fast-paced environment like Chick-fil-A could induce anxiety, leading to palpitations.
  • Histamine intolerance: Some foods, including chicken, can be high in histamine, which, if not properly broken down, can cause blood vessels to dilate and lead to palpitations.
• Do Not Miss Diagnoses
  • Anaphylaxis: Although less likely, anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms can include palpitations, among others like difficulty breathing and swelling.
  • Cardiac issues (e.g., arrhythmias): Underlying heart conditions could be exacerbated by certain foods or the act of eating, leading to palpitations.
• Rare Diagnoses
  • Scombroid poisoning: This is a rare condition caused by eating spoiled fish that contains high levels of histamine. Although chicken is not typically associated with scombroid poisoning, cross-contamination in food preparation could theoretically lead to this condition.
  • Tyramine-induced hypertensive crisis: Tyramine is an amino acid found in aged cheeses and some processed meats. While less common in chicken, if the chicken was prepared with or near tyramine-rich foods, this could potentially lead to a hypertensive crisis, which includes palpitations as a symptom.