Had a steroid injection today now heart rate is way up.

[Tlj43]

I had a steroid shot today because of swelling in my thumb from an injury.  The injection  was in my hip. My bp is always good and heart rate resting is between 72-80.  Tonight I checked it and my bp is 118/70 but pulse is 104.  Is it normal after steroid shot?

[Rosemary349]

I'm not an expert at all, but from everything I've learned about the heart and blood pressure, those figures are ok.  That higher bp I believe to be normal.  The pulse seems a bit high but ..............and I hope others will respond who have more knowledge......I believe from what my doctor told me that it's only worrisome if the pulse is higher than 140 for a consistent period of time (say longer than 10 mins).

All of this is a bit vague, sorry, but I had steroids for asthma once and they do just 'up' your whole system, so I'm not surprised you've seen a difference.

Is your pulse consistently 104?  Or is there a range it's moving within?  

Of course if you're worried call a doctor, but I just responded with what I know.  I wish you the best.

[Rosemary349]

Two ways to slow the heart are to splash your face with cold water, the colder the better, it causes the diver's reflex and the heart slows.......the other is to take a deep breath, but breath out very slowly on the out breath.  If you take your pulse while doing this you will feel it slow down temporarily.