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Discomfort In Chest, Sternum And Surrounding Area. Was Taking Steroids For Bodybuilding Previously. Reason For Discomfort?
I am having discomforting feelings in my chest, mainly my sternum and in the area surrounding my heart. I get pulpatitions at times. Im 17 st 6 pound and gone from 14 stone to that in 6 months. l have done steroids up until a few months ago as I am a body builder. Could this be due to high cholesterol, high stress and the previous steroid usage or are these symptoms of something else? What can I do to have control over it please?
Fri, 7 Jun 2013
Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.
From the description of your symptoms, I can think of the following possibilities:
1) An anxiety / stress-related problem
2) A side effect of the steroid usage (steroids are well known to trigger anxiety symptoms)
3) A cardiac problem (you have mentioned something about high cholesterol, but you have not clearly mentioned whether you have any risk factors for a cardiac problem)
So, you first need to have a detailed evaluation to rule out any cardiac-related problems. This will include a detailed history and physical examination and certain investigations like an ECG, etc. If all evaluations are negative, then the possibility of an anxiety / stress-related problem needs to be considered.
Therefore, further treatment of your symptoms will depend on the likely cause. Please see a doctor for a detailed evaluation.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
From the description of your symptoms, I can think of the following possibilities:
1) An anxiety / stress-related problem
2) A side effect of the steroid usage (steroids are well known to trigger anxiety symptoms)
3) A cardiac problem (you have mentioned something about high cholesterol, but you have not clearly mentioned whether you have any risk factors for a cardiac problem)
So, you first need to have a detailed evaluation to rule out any cardiac-related problems. This will include a detailed history and physical examination and certain investigations like an ECG, etc. If all evaluations are negative, then the possibility of an anxiety / stress-related problem needs to be considered.
Therefore, further treatment of your symptoms will depend on the likely cause. Please see a doctor for a detailed evaluation.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
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