Steroids and Increased Heart Rate

[Jasmine22]

Hi all. Sorry to be a pain again, but I’m feeling anxious and wondered if anybody had experienced a faster heart rate whilst taking steroids?

My blood pressure has always been unremarkable and my pulse around 70 bpm. Over the past few months it has increased and i just took a reading of 106 bpm, which has worried me. I also have times when I will be sitting normally and have a sudden, sharp intake of breath for no apparent reason.

I’m wondering if my increased heart rate may be connected with taking steroids (dexamethasone) which I’ve been on since mid April. My rheumatologist has made me ween myself off them over the past few weeks as he wanted to induce a flare of my Lupus, Sjorgren’s and other conditions. I took my final dose last Thursday.

If anybody has any input, I’d be very grateful please as I’m feeling quite anxious.

Thank you. Jasmine 😊

[Lisalou19]

My heart rate is 108 bpm without the steroids

At all appointments they never seem phased by it.

I think the heart rate did originally spike once I started steroids and has kind of stayed pretty high

X

[Jasmine22 in reply to Lisalou19]

Thank you for that. It’s always good to know you’re not the only one. X

[Melba1]

Hi Jasmine, my heart rate used to be 70s too, but increases with most medications and with the lupus too. Mostly around 100 but can be up to 150 or so. Drs not too worried but it is a weird feeling when it is high sometimes. Mine has been mostly high for 2 years and I don’t really notice now. Yours may go back to normal after reducing steroids.

Not sure about your rheumys plan to induce a flare?! Is this to confirm diagnosis or decide treatment? Be careful and catch it soon though if reducing steroids does start one. You don’t want a bad one or to be stuck in a flare for ages. I reflare every time I reduce steroids and think lots of us do xx

[Krazykat26 in reply to Melba1]

Hi Melba

Yes I'm exactly the same as u with the flaring when trying to come off steroids!! Xx

[Jasmine22 in reply to Melba1]

Hi Melba. Thanks for your reply. I am avoiding my wrists today so that the fast best doesn’t cause me to become more anxious!

My consultant wants to do scans etc and so wanted to take me off the steroids in order to get “true” results and then take it from there. I haven’t been to work or driven since April as my fatigue and decreased mobility have been worsening.

HR contacted me this morning to arrange a capability hearing, so something else to get stressed about! xx

[NeuronerdDoaty]

Yep. That is a side effect.

[Krazykat26]

Hi Jasmine

I'm the same..my BP and pulse rate have increased since being on the meds..steroids n others.

When it happens n I feel like my heart's going too fast I find it helpful to slow my breathing right down...breathing as deeply as I can..in through the nose..n then breathe out through the mouth..I do it several times until I feel calmer!! It works for me.

Try not to get too anxious about it because stress will just make it worse!! Xx

[Jasmine22 in reply to Krazykat26]

Hi. Thanks for your reply. Yes, it’s all a vicious circle.

I have been using relaxation techniques today and avoiding taking my pulse! I think that it can feel very lonely when we have all of these conditions and it’s great to be able to share on here and know that others are feeling what you are. Although, of course, it would be much better if none of us had to suffer any of it! 😊 xx

[Lynden87]

In my opinion, steriods and high blood pressure have some sort of association. Before steriods my BP was 110/70 perfect, then after the introdution of steriods to my system nt's high enough for me to be on BP medications. Plus the weight gain that i can't seem to lose.

[Jasmine22 in reply to Lynden87]

Hi. Thanks for your reply. Sorry that you’re having to take bp meds. Luckily mine is just my heart rate, at least for now.

I sympathise with the weight gain; it’s a nightmare! I have piled on pounds despite eating a healthy diet. It is so difficult to lose it when you can hardly walk too 😳

[Krazykat26 in reply to Lynden87]

Same here..110/70 was my norm..not any more..I'm on blood pressure tabs too xx

[PMRpro]

It is a listed side effect of pred. And the sudden sharp intake of breath is something many people,on pred or not, experience but it can be a bit more noticeable when on pred.

[Dalilatm]

Hi Jasmine,

Yes, my heart rate increases with the steroids. It isn't very comfortable. Sometimes I feel my heart beating really hard, or so fast that makes me feel nervous. During my medical appointments, before I'm seeing by the rheumatologist they always check my blood pressure and heart rate. All normal. So I know there's no problem.

Good luck X

[Jasmine22 in reply to Dalilatm]

Thank you! Seems like it’s just another thing we have to learn to live with 😊 X

[cuttysark]

Yes I get much raised heart too. Have been ten years steroids initially hydrocortisone for adrenal problem ,then five years Pred.

I used to have low rate in sixties and low BP, now borderline high BP and 90 - 110 heart.

I am also massively affected by caffeine in tea!!!

If I take only one cup ordinary tea it can zoom my heart up high.

I take decaff but it has about 4% despite being called decaff.

I try to take herbal tea or rooboos but I like ordinary black tea!!

Steroids are so necessary for so many of us but hard to accept the side effects.

I try to think they are my life savers ,as years ago I would have been in a total mess without them. XX

[Jasmine22 in reply to cuttysark]

Yes, caffeine is not a good companion! Luckily I don’t drink any hot beverages and only like squash, so I don’t have to worry.

I didn’t realise how much they helped me until I’ve stopped taking them. The weight gain is also a massive negative xx

[rodders1941]

jasmine l have the same reaction with my heartbeat and sudden intake of breath

l did have a heartbeat of 48 a while ago, now lm up to 90 ,l just hope now that lm down to 2 1/2 preds a day it will all right its self ., l wonder if anyone else has some information on the effects on the hart ? take care. Rodders

[PMRpro in reply to rodders1941]

Raised heart rate is a known effect of steroids. But yours does sound as if it could do with investigation. Arrythmias do lead to raised heart rate too and arrythmias may be associated with PMR/GCA - they need diagnosis if they are present and almost always require some medication, anticoagulant therapy is required as a basic.

[Jasmine22 in reply to rodders1941]

Thanks for that Rodders!

I’m pleased to say that I’m no longer taking steroids and yesterday my heart rate was 64 bpm.

I hope you’re keeping well in these difficult times 😊