Beta blockers and weight gain

[Rocket1974]

I have been in beta blockers for four months now after initial episode of AF. No further episodes thank goodness !

Consultant has advised I will be on BB for at least 6 months but I have been gaining weight since being in them. I'm not eating any differently and doing same amount if exercise !

Is it a case of waiting till I come off then in a couple of months ? But worried if consultant wants me to stay on them I will continue to gain ???

[jennydog]

You say that you are not eating any differently. I think that's probably the cause of your weight gain because the beta blockers slow down your heart, and everything else. 2.5 bisoprolol cuts my heart rate from about 80 to 65.

I have cut out ADDED sugar and all bread except one piece of breakfast toast. It has been an awful struggle to lose a few pounds. Staying on beta blockers means careful diet control I'm afraid.

Best wishes.

[doodle68 in reply to jennydog]

Hi Rocket I have been on BBs a month now and have lost 5 lb

P-AF has come as a wake up call for me and although I already ate a good diet I have cut the portions and a few extras like maple syrup on my porridge.

I have also switched my main meal to lunch time so I am not eating in the evening then sitting around afterwards.

[CaroleF]

I've been taking a beta blocker for just over a year and have gained weight. Not sure exactly how much but I've gone up nearly two dress sizes. For various reasons I've been unable to exercise as much as I used to which would be a partial explanation, but I'm sure the beta blocker is the chief culprit.

I have cut out ALL sugars apart from fruit and also cheese (always one of my weaknesses) as well as cutting back on carbs. As a result I have stopped putting weight on now but haven't lost much at all and it has been a slow business.

My GP isn't concerned about the weight gain, but I am if only because it has meant buying new clothes. The charity shops where I live are doing very well out of me!

[danagreen in reply to CaroleF]

Cut out fruit as that will help. I know its healthy but fructose is even worse than sucrose if you want to lose weight - it contributes to insulin resistance.

[CaroleF in reply to danagreen]

I wasn't aware of that. Perhaps I'll give it a try.

[shorttail]

Glad you have had no further episodes Rocket1974, but interesting about the weight gain.

I struggle too, and being diabetic is a further worry. I take Sotalol 80mg twice a day and have changed my diet to try and lose weight, but so far just staying stable.

I didn't realise it may be the BB, so thanks for your thread.

[Rocket1974]

I have always carried a bit of weight but noticed last few months more going on so have started to act now and eat healthier and here is hoping.

My AF has never reappeared after the one off episode that saw me have a cardio version in a&e. That was over four months ago 😀.

[Upsky]

I too have gained weight, my weight was fine previously, but also 4 months of bisoprolol has seen me drastically gain weight, even with less food going in. My back has been really bad for 4 weeks and I feel it's a result of weight gain and less exercise as I've been very exercise intolerant lately. Bit of a vicious circle now.

[ps67]

I started on beta Blockers in March-- had lost 3.5 stone at Slimming World-- but gain almost every week now even tho I stick to the plan-- so depressing. Spoke to my Cardiologist who said he will look at changing meds-- I am having heart monitor fitted for 24 hrs today- so hopefully results may help me change to another medication.

[Hatty_36]

Hi Rocket1974, I Have been on BB for quite some time now . I had my first diagnosed AF about 2.1/2 months ago and have had no further episodes so far. I didn't realise that they are likely to cause you weight gain. This helps to explain why I am finding it so hard to lose weight!. I only eat the odd slice of bread if I am having poached egg on toast trhe occaisional mornining and am following other advice on here to reduce the chances of further AF episodes. I hope you are able to come off BB when you see your consultant again.

[songbird74]

I am on Bb but have managed to lose two stone by following a very low carb diet- no potatoes, rice, bread, pasta, limited fruit but lots of protein, nuts, good fats, courgette spaghetti and cauliflower rice. I was pre-diabetic but my bloods are now back to high normal (except on days when I am in AF when they go diabetic)

[Rocket1974]

I've decided to lower in take of calories to about 1200 a day with moderate exercise to see if this helps. Here is hoping guys !!