Differential Diagnosis for Lower Extremity Swelling, Sweating, and Increased Heart Rate
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Anxiety or Panic Disorder: This condition can cause increased heart rate, sweating, and potentially lower extremity swelling due to increased blood flow and vasodilation. The variable heart rate at rest between 100-120 bpm is consistent with anxiety-induced tachycardia.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Heart Failure: Lower extremity swelling (edema) is a common symptom of heart failure, and an increased heart rate can be a compensatory mechanism to maintain cardiac output. Sweating can occur due to the body's stress response to decreased cardiac function.
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency: This condition can cause lower extremity swelling, and increased heart rate can be a secondary response to decreased venous return. Sweating may be related to discomfort or pain associated with the condition.
- Dehydration or Electrolyte Imbalance: Dehydration or electrolyte imbalances can cause increased heart rate, sweating, and potentially lower extremity swelling due to changes in blood volume and electrolyte balance.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Although less likely, DVT is a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause lower extremity swelling, sweating, and increased heart rate. It is essential to consider DVT in the differential diagnosis, especially if there are risk factors such as recent surgery, immobilization, or cancer.
- Pulmonary Embolism: Similar to DVT, pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition that can cause increased heart rate, sweating, and potentially lower extremity swelling due to decreased cardiac output.
- Cardiac Tamponade: This condition, characterized by fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac, can cause increased heart rate, sweating, and potentially lower extremity swelling due to decreased cardiac output.
Rare Diagnoses
- Pheochromocytoma: A rare tumor of the adrenal gland that can cause episodic increases in heart rate, sweating, and potentially lower extremity swelling due to excessive catecholamine release.
- Thyroid Storm: A life-threatening condition caused by excessive thyroid hormone production, which can cause increased heart rate, sweating, and potentially lower extremity swelling due to increased metabolic rate.
- Lymphedema: A chronic condition characterized by abnormal lymphatic drainage, which can cause lower extremity swelling, but is less likely to cause increased heart rate and sweating.