Question

Diagnosis: 28 year old female is brought in by EMS complaining of SOB, palpitations, and chest pain. She smokes 1 PPD and her only medication is OCPs. She had one of these attacks previously while grocery shopping. She shares with you that she is so afraid of having another one she rarely leaves her house. Work up?

Answer 1

The symptoms described by the patient are suggestive of a possible cardiovascular condition. Given the patient's smoking history and use of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), a workup for cardiovascular issues, specifically myocardial infarction (MI), may be appropriate. It is important to rule out other potential causes and consider additional diagnostic tests to evaluate for any underlying cardiac disease.

Step-by-step explanation:

The symptoms described by the patient, such as shortness of breath (SOB), palpitations, and chest pain, are suggestive of a possible cardiovascular condition. Given the patient's smoking history and use of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), a workup for cardiovascular issues, specifically myocardial infarction (MI), may be appropriate. It is important to rule out other potential causes and consider additional diagnostic tests, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiac enzymes, and a stress test, to evaluate for any underlying cardiac disease.

It is worth noting that women experiencing an MI may present with different symptoms compared to men. While men often experience pain radiating down the left arm, women may have atypical symptoms like shortness of breath and generalized anxiety.

The differential diagnosis should also include other possible causes of the patient's symptoms, such as anxiety attacks or pneumonia. Further evaluation, including a thorough medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests, is necessary to determine the exact cause of the patient's symptoms and develop an appropriate treatment plan.