Took Steroid Shot For Bronchitis. Noticed Elevated Blood Pressure Level. Looking For Solution?

Posted on Sat, 16 Feb 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 16 Feb 2013 Answered on

Fri, 8 Mar 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : I had a steroid shot today for bronchitis. My blood pressure always reads 110 over 70 but today about 4 hrs after I got the shot my blood pressure has increased and now it's reading 184 over 93. It's 3 am and I'd like to go to bed and see if it would come down. What is your suggestion?

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (1 hour later)

Hello
thank you for your query.

Steroid injections can cause hypertension and raised blood pressure.
At a systolic blood pressure > 160 and / or a diastolic > 90, you cannot simply rest at home.
You need to consult your Physician immediately, get the reading checked and get a prescription for an antihypertensive medication.
Generally, following steroid shot, the blood pressure should normalize within a few hours, but the reading of 184 / 93 carries risk of complications like stroke, embolism, lung complications and other fatal conditions.

Hence I urge you to contact / XXXXXXX your physician at the earliest.

Meanwhile, make sure you are not alone, and have assistance.

Take care, and all the best.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar