Weak muscle tone

[purplerain58]

Hello, My husband seems to have weak muscle tone. He cannot bend his knees as he used to and his hands don't seems to have the grip they used to have. He is on beta blockers and ace inhibitors for heart failure, has anyone else experience this ? could it be related to the drugs?

[Chappychap]

I'm not a doctor so I can't give you a definitive answer, but personally I think it's very easy to blame all sorts of problems on medication. However, along with heart issues there often comes a general loss of confidence and a sort of fatalism, plus we shouldn't forget that heart problems often strike at just the time in a person's life when they're starting to feel the natural but debilitating effects of ageing.

So maybe your husband has just been taking it a bit easier on himself since starting the medication, and this has resulted in some loss of muscle tone (which can happen pretty quickly at middle age or beyond). I'm only guessing here, I don't really know. But if your husband started a programme of exercises he might find he recovers some of his strength?

I'm on the same medication as your husband following a bypass last year. I'm now going to a gym three times a week and although it was tough going at first I reckon I'm just as strong now as I was before the operation.

Good luck!

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Chappychap]

Totally agree! It may be worth spending a little on hand exercisers (to strengthen grip), a small set of dumbbells (I use 5kg ones but 2kg would be useful) and a mini exercise bike. They have to be used regularly for benefit though and not become living room ornaments.

[purplerain58 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks for your reply, I would like to get him motivated to do more, I'll see what I can do, will show him your post, it may help with motivation, Thanks.

[purplerain58 in reply to Chappychap]

Thanks for this, I agree about muscle town loss in middle age, but his did come on suddenly, after medication, Its a bit of a viscous circle, as I am sure you know yourself, don't feel up to the exercise so do less, get weaker etc.

[Potuar]

My husband too has lost his muscles especially from his arms. He is 75, lacks energy after two HF events. We are due to go for rehab. He has also lost his confidence. This is such a debilitating disease.

[purplerain58 in reply to Potuar]

Yes confidence has taken a tumble too. Hope rehab helps. thanks for your reply.

[jimmyq in reply to Potuar]

I found that rehab really boosted my confidence because I knew they wouln't let me overdo it. I could push myself a bit to increase my execise. It also gave me the confidence to exercise on my own, without fear, once rehab was over. I am rehabbing myself now.

[Potuar in reply to jimmyq]

Thanks for taking the time to reply Jimmyq. I will be contacting the rehab for an appointment. Its good to know that you have found the exercises beneficial. I pray that my husband will embrace the exercise regime which is ultimately for his betterment.