Exercise and heart rate

[Wilky57]

Happy Easter to those who are celebrating. Sorry to bother you all again but I’m hoping you’ll be able to clarify something for me. Since being on Carvedilol and Apixaban (about 6 weeks) I have put on about 6lbs although I am eating really well and choosing much healthier foods than I had been previously. I also have an exercise routine that I have been doing daily after a visit from a sports coach. My routine includes 1 kg weight work, 4 minutes on a step at a fairly slow pace and I also do 15 minutes on an exercise bike. I look at my Fitbit watch all the time and I’m puzzled as to why, even when I’m trying to pedal relatively faster, my heart rate stays below 80. Could this just be a temporary thing until I’m used to the medication or is this me for ever.? Thank you for your help.

[BobD Volunteer]

Beta blockers will do both those things.

[pd63]

I'm on bisoprolol and when exercising my heart rate doesn't exceed 110 bpm, this limits pushing to the limit which is probably a good thing.That means the beta blocker is doing as intended that's the whole point.

[CDreamer]

Beta blockers slow your metabolism, I put on weight and never able to lose it even though I no longer take them.

[maurice2]

And 1kg weights/4 mins cardio isn't really pushing the envelope. Your coach will probably gradually increase your routine and you heart rate will probably increase some. On bisoprolol I could get over to over 115 with fast walking but it took about 10-15 minutes to get up to that.

[Drone01]

The beta blocker is definitely slowing you down. However, you should maybe consult the medics about your weight gain in case it’s due to a build-up of fluid.

[Omniscient1]

Sounds like the beta blockers, do you experience any other impact on your life (lethargy, tiredness)?One thing though, like me you do weight work and bike exercise, but that won't affect your weight.

[opal11uk]

Beta Blockers, thats their job. I also have put on weight due to my metabolism being reduced so not a lot you can do other than eating a good and sensible diet with everything in moderation and that includes exercise.

[beach_bum]

Not sure if this will help, but I was switched from beta blockers to calcium channel blockers because of the issue you mentioned. Night and day. I’m 69 and hike 4-6k every morning, and cycle 30-45k 3-4 times a week. My HR never gets over 150, and I get to call the max HR, not the meds. So maybe have a chat with your Cardio team?

[Peacefulneedshelp]

Beta Blocker started to make my muscles in my leg hurt and I am a walker, walk every day the weather permits. No way should I be hurting. They truly slow everything down. How can they help?

[mav7]

Wilky57 . Would be good to share your afib history including heart rate history with/without afib. How first diagnosed, etc.

What is your heart rate if not exercising ?

[Wilky57 in reply to mav7]

I had my first episode 7 weeks ago. I could feel my heart beating really fast but, when I went to the doctors it had gone. It happened again a week later and I went to A&E where I was kept in as my heart rate was 168. I came out with anticoagulants and beta blockers. I am on my third type of beta blockers because the others made me feel so ill. According to my Fitbit watch I am in AF all the time and my heart rate now varies from 55 to 147. When I walk uphill or upstairs I am gasping for breath although my heart rate goes up to around 85. I have tried to push myself on my exercise bike but I can’t get my heart rate to go over 85 tops. My resting heart rate used to be 62ish and I think it’s getting more like that now. I haven’t seen a specialist yet, only a GP, so I don’t want to over do the exercise yet. Despite being very overweight I have always been very active and enjoy exercise. I find it so hard to be puffing and blowing as I walk up the street and then feel really disappointed to see my heart rate is only in the low 80s.

[mav7 in reply to Wilky57]

Thanks for sharing.

The Carvedilol can cause breathlessness. But it seems to be doing a good job controlling your heart rate.

With due respect, may I recommend not overemphasizing exercise. As a former runner, I know the difficulty of withdrawal and not being able to exercise as before. But this afib thing is a bigger battle. Do coordinate your exercise regimen with your doctor.

Hope you able to soon see a cardiologist or EP. Overall, sounds like you are doing well and the afib is controlled.

[wischo]

I am sort of the same as I am on a small dose of bisoprolol and my heartrate is held back to 80-85bpm for the first 2 to 3 klms of my walk and then it rises slowly to 122bpm for the last 3klms. I feel great when my heart rate is in the 122 range but rougher in the 80bpm range. Its the beta blockers that do it.

[Wilky57]

Thank you to everyone who gave me advice. I really appreciate it. I have increased my level of physical exercise. On reflection, perhaps I was being too cautious. My heart rate went up quite a lot when I peddled faster on my exercise bike. Thanks again for such sound advice.