I'm really worried because after recovering from COVID in May, I've been having chest pain that comes and goes. At first, it eased up but then returned. I had a couple of ECGs; one was normal, but three months later, it showed an irregular heartbeat, although all other tests came back normal. My doctor thinks it might be costochondritis since the pain is really sharp and in the upper rib area. Last night things got intenseI woke up suddenly with really strong palpitations. A doctor I know recommended some medications including Thiospas 4 mg, Tramadol, and Dexa 4 mg for 3 days, to be tapered slowly. I've already taken steroids during my COVID treatment for about 9 days, and I'm really anxious about taking them again. Should I go ahead with this treatment? I need advice quickly.

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Anshul Maheshwari

General Practitioner

MBBS
5+ Yrs

Consult Now

Its understandable to be cautious after taking steroids during COVID. Given that your chest pain and irregular heartbeat are likely due to costochondritis, the suggested medications may help, but steroids like Dexa should only be taken under close medical supervision. It's important to discuss your concerns with your doctor, especially about tapering off steroids safely.

Dr. Anshul Suggests...

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Answered 04/07/2025

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How long are ECG, 2D ECHO, and Stress ECHO results valid? I've done these tests and everything came back normal, but I'm curious about how long these results are considered accurate. Should I repeat them often or are they good for a while?

Echo is valid for 6-12 months.

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

I recently went through a medical test for my insurance, and they noted something called tachycardia. I'm a bit worried and curiousdoes this mean that tachycardia is actually present in my report? How do I confirm if it's really something to be concerned about?

Tachycardia is a condition where your heart beats faster than normal. To confirm if tachycardia is present in your report, you can look for the heart rate measurement. If your resting heart rate is consistently above 100 beats per minute, then it is likely that tachycardia is present. If you have been diagnosed with tachycardia, medications like Metoprolol (25-100mg) or Atenolol (25-100mg) may be prescribed to help regulate your heart rate.

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

I've had several EKGs, and they keep showing I have inverted T wave lines. Ive also done a few stress tests, which were said to be normal. But then I ended up in the ER with chest pain, and the doctor there said I need a heart cath because my stress tests werent completely normal. One doctor says they're normal, and another one disagrees. I'm only 45 years old, and I'm just wondering if a heart cath is really necessary. I've got an appointment with a cardiologist in 9 days, and I'm feeling a bit nervous about all this. What do you think?

ECHO is advised for further management.

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

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