Steroid Shots and Their Effects on the Heart

Can a CT scan with contrast see structural defects with the heart? The discomfort extends to my left arm occasionally now and it's really starting to bug me. I don't want to go back to the er only to get another useless EKG or chest x-ray.

Hello @incrediblemulk98, I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing pain and symptoms.

If I am hearing you correctly, the question you are posting is about your steroid shot giving you relief and whether it would cause you tachycardia? My thought is that this is absolutely a question for your health care provider. You also posted that you can't shake the feeling that your pain is cardiac- I would assume this is leaving you with feelings of anxiety and worry.
I understand financial burden but this situation should qualify for an evaluation at the ER. If need be, talk to the ER staff about social services and maybe there is an existing program you would possibly qualify for. Please be a good advocate for yourself and be evaluated by a health care professional.

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@incrediblemulk98, I'm sending good thoughts your way! 🙂 After you have been evaluated, please come back and keep us posted on how you're doing!!

The best doc for this is Cleveland Clinc as I understand it. Don't get much from ER.

I was given another steroid shot for an exertion headache caused by a stress test. Do steroid shots cause racing heart and muscle soreness generally? My hr laying down is 105 and my bones and muscles are aching in my left arm off and on. I had this shot 11 am this morning and it's been progressing steadily like this.

@incrediblemulk98, when given the steroid shot, were you given a list of risks and or complications? Here is a list I was able to find on the Mayo Clinic web page http://mayocl.in/2mMKOpO.
Please seek immediate professional medical attention at your local Emergency Department if you feel you are experiencing symptoms that need attention.

Hi , your post left me concern as for 3 years I suffered like you and would go to ER and Drs. and they would tell me it was not my heart as everything came back fine and put me on alpralazom for anxiety. It wasn't until I had neck surgery that it left me 7 days in hospital which was intended for me to go home the next day . I was on oxygen and was having bad chest pains , they told me my lungs were trying to collapse . Not once was a Heart Dr. called in . When I went home I called my regular Physician and explained what happened and they made me a appointment with a Heart Spec. I went thinking they would tell me I needed to loose weight as I had gained a lot from taking shots and meds. However they did a ultrasound on my heart and told me my right side was enlarged and I had a hole that blood was leaking out of that joined the chambers of my heart . They have explained it to me but I have a hard time explaining it . I went to hospital and eventually it was fixed when i developed hypertension and could not hardly make it to bathroom with out leaving me gasping for air . They put 2 umbrellas in my heart as that how big the hole was . I now go every six months to my Heart Drs. As now my right side is weakened . I am doing fine and could live a good long life. If I was you I would get this checked out by a Specialist.

@anyone. I had a heart attack when I was 62 and had two stents put in. Heart disease runs in my dads side of the family but was mostly all the men.....I had uncles die at an early age. Now here I am going along 12 years later and have not had any problems with my heart. I haven't had any testing done since I was to mayo maybe in 2012. I now go to Mayo for COPD and lung cancer. My question is this...….. do you think I should set up appointments with an heart dr on my next trip there???????

If you are worried, set up an appointment. Better safe than sorry. this is just a guess but I think it takes a while for the steroid shots to kick in, I get them in my back and hips. Ask your dr.

Hello @sakota,

Heart disease is strongly linked to family history. Ideally, once you know your family health history you should consult a cardiologist. The first step is to look at your first-degree relatives: your father, mother, and siblings. Studies show that if they had heart disease, that raises your own risk by a lot. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/family-history-and-heart-disease-stroke
Even if you do everything possible to keep your heart healthy and strong, you still have to confront your genes:)

@sakota- I went to the Scottsdale Mayo for a second opinion last year and was so impressed with the caring attitude and excellent testing. I ended up coming away with better results I was receiving locally from my cardiologist which really gave me a big peace of mind!
I would highly recommend doing this! Merry Christmas. Jim @thankful