New to this group

[akenclark]

I came upon the group while I was hunting for information how beta blockers limit exercise. I am sadly getting fat(ter) as the fatigue has caused me to stop exercise. My two big questions are: " If my heart rate is prevented from rising, by the drugs, are muscles being damaged by oxygen starvation during exercise , since the blood flow is slow? Also, is there any training effect even happening when my exercise pace is so much reduced? "

[BobD Volunteer]

Unless one is completely bonkers I think the limiting factor of the beta blockers will prevent any damage. The old adage is "listen to your body". This is not a matter of limiting oxygen as the blood is still being re-oxygenated by normal lung function it is heart rate and therefore output which is limited. I suspect that cramp may well tell you long before any damage occurred.

[Finvola]

It depends what you are trying to do, I suspect. My way of coping with the deadening effect of Bisoprolol is to do my exercise in shorter periods more often and it seems to work well for me.

There are many members who are into sports training who hopefully will be able to give you a specific answer to the training question.

Welcome to the forum!

[Hidden]

I take Bisoprolol once a day. I recently changed from taking in the morning to evening. I found improvement in lethargy

[yanbart]

Hi, I am not a Dr and don't pretend to be, but I would not think it is possible to damage yourself in this way as your body will only do what your heart will allow. It is possibly no different to a top athlete pushing themself to the max, only for you, this would occur at a much lower HR and one you are perhaps not used to. As for the benefits, I know Ironmen who specifically train their bodies in Z2 (zone 2) for hours on end to increase endurance, for the majority of their training plans. This means a low/moderate heart rate (a % of their max HR which varies from person to person). They purposely avoid going into the higher HR zones, so again, my un-medical opinion is that you would benefit. Hope this helps a little! Best wishes

[akenclark]

Thanks for the sane/cautious/intelligent responses. They help my thinking greatly and I am eager to learn about the experience of people who exercise whilst on the drugs. As I was researching the question I kept being directed to sites that merely described that beta blockers put a lid on my heart rate without further information beyond "You should consult your doctor. "

[Hidden in reply to akenclark]

I do an hour a day at gym hour of each over six days cardio , mat circuit, gym ball circuit, weight machines, rowing machine and swim. 62 year old with open heart surgery and pacemaker. Take Bisoprolol and Flecainide

[Finvola in reply to Hidden]

Frills, you are inspirational - good for you.

[123Abc123]

Bisoprolol made me very tired so I know what you mean about difficulty in exercising, however, connected to the tiredness was a feeling of fullness for hours after eating which made my AF worse. After changing to Atenolol and consulting with, and acting on a the advice of a nutritionist, I no longer have feelings of excessive tiredness or fullness. However, I am having to work hard not to lose weight.

[Meeko]

I've had to halve my food intake. My body is responding well. It's hard but works.

[MarkS]

I also found that beta blockers ( bisprolol and then sotalol) had a deadening effect on my exercise. I remember flogging up hills and being really gassed. I moved to a calcium channel blocker ( diltiazem) and felt much better. It still limited my heart beat but had far less impact on exercise.

I'm afraid you just can't eat the same amount of food on beta blockers, if you want to keep a constant weight, as they subdue your metabolism.

[Johnnie37]

Beta blockers slow you down therefore if you do not exercise as much you will burn less calories. It is all a question of balance - calories consumed & calories expended. Perhaps you can take a smaller dose of the beta blocker Take your pulse!

[Globe-J]

Hi Akenclark

If I understand, one concern is your energy balance. A multifaceted affair. I agree, do not try to push over the limits of your physical condition. However, even a 4 km walk will increase your basic metabolic rate, while keeping your heart happy and burning calories. What you lost in intensity, you may recover in extra activity time. I.e. the distance matters. Needles to add, the food intake matters perhaps even more.

Speaking to a nutritionist and a personal trainer may help to put all that into a perspective. Don’t despair (-: There is much you can do

Sydney J

[akenclark]

Thank you.

[Globe-J]

Good mood will bring you good luck

(-: