Differential Diagnosis for Whooshing Feeling over Left Side of Chest
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Mitral Valve Prolapse: This condition is characterized by the prolapse of a thickened or redundant mitral valve leaflet into the left atrium during systole, which can cause a whooshing or murmur sound. The mitral valve is located on the left side of the heart, which aligns with the location of the symptom.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Aortic Regurgitation: This condition involves the leakage of the aortic valve, allowing blood to flow back from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole. It can cause a whooshing sound due to the abnormal blood flow.
- Pulmonary Embolism: Although more commonly associated with symptoms like sudden onset dyspnea, a large pulmonary embolism can cause a whooshing sound due to the obstruction of blood flow in the lungs.
- Pericarditis: Inflammation of the pericardium can cause a pericardial friction rub, which might be perceived as a whooshing sound, especially if it involves the left side of the chest.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Aortic Dissection: A life-threatening condition where there is a tear in the aorta's inner layer, causing blood to flow between the layers of the aorta. It can present with a whooshing sound due to the abnormal blood flow and is critical to diagnose promptly.
- Cardiac Tamponade: Accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space can compress the heart, leading to impaired filling and potentially a whooshing sound due to the altered hemodynamics. It's a medical emergency.
- Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm: Although rare, an aneurysm of the pulmonary artery can cause a whooshing sound due to turbulent blood flow and is critical to diagnose due to the risk of rupture.
Rare Diagnoses
- Vascular Malformations or Fistulas: Abnormal connections between arteries and veins can cause turbulent blood flow, leading to a whooshing sound. These are rare and usually diagnosed with specific imaging studies.
- Congenital Heart Defects: Certain defects, like patent ductus arteriosus, can cause continuous murmurs or whooshing sounds due to abnormal blood flow between the aorta and pulmonary artery.
- Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm: An aneurysm of the thoracic aorta can cause a whooshing sound due to turbulent blood flow, although this is less common compared to abdominal aortic aneurysms.