Differential Diagnosis for Tachycardia in Pregnancy
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Physiologic Tachycardia: In pregnancy, the heart rate increases to accommodate the increased blood volume and cardiac output. This is a normal adaptation and the most common cause of tachycardia in pregnant women.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Anemia: Common in pregnancy due to increased blood volume and demand for iron, leading to a decrease in hemoglobin and subsequent increase in heart rate to maintain oxygen delivery.
- Dehydration: Can occur due to various reasons such as morning sickness, and leads to a decrease in blood volume, causing an increase in heart rate.
- Thyroid Disease: Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can occur in pregnancy, with hyperthyroidism more likely to cause tachycardia.
- Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension: Can cause tachycardia as a response to the increased blood pressure.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Pulmonary Embolism: Although less common, pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition that can cause tachycardia and must be considered, especially in pregnant women with risk factors such as immobilization or history of thromboembolic disease.
- Cardiac Conditions: Such as peripartum cardiomyopathy or pre-existing heart conditions like arrhythmias, which can be exacerbated by pregnancy and cause tachycardia.
- Preeclampsia with Severe Features: Can present with tachycardia among other symptoms like severe hypertension and may progress to eclampsia if not promptly treated.
Rare Diagnoses
- Hyperthyroid Crisis: A life-threatening exacerbation of hyperthyroidism that can cause severe tachycardia among other symptoms.
- Pheochromocytoma: A rare tumor of the adrenal gland that can cause episodic or sustained hypertension and tachycardia.
- Arrhythmias: Such as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) or ventricular tachycardia, which are less common but can occur in pregnancy.