Physiologic versus pathologic signs and symptoms in pregnancy - McMaster Textbook of Internal Medicine

Table 15.2-1. Physiologic versus pathologic signs and symptoms in pregnancy
Physiologic signs and symptoms	Pathologic signs and symptoms
– Tachycardia (usually <115 bpm) – Bounding/collapsing pulse – SpO2 >94% (usually >97%); no desaturation with ambulation	– Tachycardia (any heart rate but worrisome if >115 bpm or associated with symptoms) – Tachy- or bradyarrhythmias – Tachypnea >22 bpm – SpO2 <94% or desaturation with ambulation
Prominent but not elevated JVP	Markedly elevated JVP
– Systolic ejection murmur – Loud S1 – Presence of an S3	New regurgitant murmur
Shortness of breath (not limiting function)	– Orthopnea or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea – Acute reduction in exercise tolerance – New or worsening cough – Chest tightness or pain
Peripheral edema (mild, progressive throughout pregnancy, improves with leg elevation)	– Marked peripheral edema – Pulmonary edema (respiratory rales/crackles)
bpm, beats per minute; JVP, jugular venous pressure; S1, first heart sound; S3, third heart sound; SpO2, hemoglobin oxygen saturation in arterial blood.