Differential Diagnosis for Tachypnea with a Pulse

• Single most likely diagnosis:
  • Anxiety or panic attack: This is often the most common cause of tachypnea in a patient with a pulse, as anxiety can lead to rapid breathing without necessarily affecting heart rate.
• Other Likely diagnoses:
  • Asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation: Both conditions can cause tachypnea due to difficulty breathing.
  • Pneumonia: An infection in the lungs that can lead to rapid breathing.
  • Pulmonary embolism: A blood clot in the lungs that can cause sudden onset of tachypnea.
• Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.):
  • Cardiac tamponade: Although the patient has a pulse, a tamponade can lead to tachypnea and can be fatal if not promptly treated.
  • Pulmonary edema: Fluid accumulation in the lungs can cause tachypnea and is life-threatening.
  • Sepsis: A severe infection that can cause tachypnea among other symptoms, and is critical to identify early.
• Rare diagnoses:
  • High-altitude pulmonary edema: For patients at high altitudes, this can be a rare but serious cause of tachypnea.
  • Neurogenic pulmonary edema: Associated with severe head injuries or other neurological conditions, this can cause tachypnea.
  • Toxic ingestions: Certain toxins can affect breathing rate, though this would typically be accompanied by other symptoms.