Runners on Betablockers

[mandm65]

My cardiologist recommending that I should go on a trial for Betablockers. I have additional (funny HB) and he would like to address that with BB.

I already have low-ish resting HR, mostly 40s to early 50s. He highlighted the side-effects as being feeling lethargic/tiredness.

I would like to hear your views if you are taking Betablockers and how its effecting you/your running.

Many thanks in advance.

[Keep-it-ticking]

It's a tough one to call, I stopped using them because of the tiredness etc. I explained to them that I could barely function so they agreed for me to come off them, BUT we are all individual so what worked for me might not for you. Ultimately though as you know you have to look after your heart. If it was me I would probably try some light exercise and see how you feel and then discuss it with cardiology.

[mandm65 in reply to Keep-it-ticking]

Thanks for your response, much appreciated. I agree, what worked for you might not for others neverthless thanks for your input.

[Marc68]

I was told to take my BB in the morning when I left hospital after a HA & 2 stents but 2-3 hours afterwards I was knackered, so much so that I'd have to stop work and take a nap, then another in the afternoon.

I discussed it with the GP who suggested taking them in the evening and although the same thing happens, it's now at a more manageable time.. I just go to bed a bit earlier these days.

My resting HR is a bit higher than yours though so not sure if taking them at night might cause your HR to drop too low. Something to discuss with your GP. From what I've read on here they like to keep resting HR above 40.

[mandm65 in reply to Marc68]

thanks for your response, yep i agree taking them at night might cause my HR to drop too low, i certainly would not want that. He did say that he would start me off with small dosage to see how my body responds.

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star]

I do find it harder to exercise after taking my beta blockers, they definitely make me tired and lacking in energy. I have to take them twice a day, but take a smaller dose in the morning and a larger dose in the evening to try to minimise side effects. I wouldn't rule them out without trying them, however, and would give your body a decent amount of time to adjust if you do go down that road. I did find side effects lessened over time. For me, I think the potential benefits outweigh the side effects, but I'm not a runner (that is such an understatement!) and my heart rate is not as low as yours, so you may feel differently. I guess you won't know unless you try?

[mandm65 in reply to laura_dropstitch]

thanks for your response, yep general consense is that it will make me tired and lacking in energy and you are right only way to find out is to try.

[Sina-6491]

Yes I think you need to have another chat with your Gp. Mind you, you did say it is a trail. So it sounds like your hp Intends to monitor you in the short term.

I also have a slow HR, between 40/50. I was taken off them for a year. But since bypass I have been put back on them. I do get very tired, I have to say.

Hope you are your Gp works out the best course soon 😊😊😊

[mandm65]

Thanks for your input, yes he did say that it was a trial may because he sensed my reluctant to take on another med, he knows that i dont like to compromise my running but sometime we just have to see the long term gain rather than short term fix.

[Heartily]

Hi, I'm not a fan of BB, they will take you brain and give weight gain, but sometimes you have no choice They're used to stop the heart enlarging. Chat with Dr, get copy of echocardiogram report and go over with Dr to see how things are in heart. My EF was 65% which is good, 50% is normal. If you're in this range, then maybe BB low dose may be possible, but we're all different. It's your body, take of your life as you want to live it knowing the facts, risks etc. Take care.

[ian_hughes_]

Start the betablocker and see how you go, if its the same approach as my GP, you will start low and build up the dose 2.5mg a time. Advice I was given was to always do a gentle aerobic warm up and a warm down to allow for the betablocker's effect.

[tunybgur]

I don't know what your heart rhythm problems are, but different drugs treat different areas of the heart and a lot of the time it's trial and error.

I also had rhythm problems after a HA. Damaged bits of the heart grow scar tissue and the electrical impulses that operate the heart muscles can get blocked or rerouted.

I had a slow resting HR, about 50, and avoided beta blockers until I started getting tachycardia attacks about 2 months after my HA, presumably when the scar tissue formed. A tiny dose of Bisoprolol fixed this but dropped my resting HR to 42-45, and when exercising I cannot get my HR above 130 (I'm 70 so don't really want to go much higher), but energy levels remain largely unimpaired.

Just recently I developed Atrial Fibrillation which really did make me tired. I was prescribed Sotalol by the consultant and my Bisoprolol was stopped. Sotalol basically was a disaster, it made me so much more tired and did nothing to treat my Afib, so I went back on Bisoprolol.

I was then put on Flecainide (2x50mg, suggested by the specialist Afib nurse bless her) which immediately fixed my Afib (this was more than a year ago) and has restored all my energy, and I'm still taking 1.25mg Bisoprolol.

The point I would like to make is that Sotalol did not treat the area of my heart where the problem was, but Flecainide and Bisoprolol did, and do.....so we all have unique electrical pathways and we will all respond slightly differently to different meds, my message is to keep your consultant informed and ask him if he can suggest alternative treatments until you find the one that works best for you.

Low energy levels = poor quality of life, so It's well worth persisting in finding the best solution for you.

Good luck

[mandm65]

Thanks all for your input, started the betablocker and will evaluate the result in 3 months time. I am starting on 1.25mg s (low dose), alreday started to see HB hitting 40, never been so low. Anyway keeping my finger crossed to see how this would pan out.