Apple Watch/Heart Rate Monitor for exercise when taking beta blocker?

[MusicAndFiction]

I’m wondering aloud for when I’m ready to get more active (I’m 3 weeks into CABGx3 recovery) - would something like an Apple Watch be useful to track and keep a check on exercising heart rate if I’m also taking Bisoprolol or do the effects of the drug mean that a typical heart rate monitor or exercise app can’t make good recommendations about ideal (or even safe) effort levels?

Unfortunately my local Cardio Rehab service are only doing phone calls (and providing an online app to enter your own BP/weight etc) rather than any hands on exercise service due to covid (which seems odd given gyms are open but hey ho…)

Anyone got any insight to HRM and beta blockers?

Thanks

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With the Apple Watch you can add what meds you are on that will affect heart rate e.g. Beta Blockers and Calcium Channel Blockers.

The health app will then take these into account when estimating cardio fitness.

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Also, just for info. local gym staff aren’t being seconded in to e.g. covid vaccination centres etc. NHS staff are 😏

[IanF7]

I use an Apple Watch 6 to monitor daily activity (I don’t work out!), with two extra apps: HeartWatch and AutoSleep. I’m on Ivabradine. It gives some interesting insights at times.

[El-Tel1990]

Nearly 8 months post CABG #4 . I’m also on Bisoprolol, statin and aspirin. I use a Fitbit but just as an indicator. You can buy a proper BP/Heart rate monitor at any of the big pharmacy chains. I would recommend it. If there is anything highly irregular you should notify your cardio rehab team or GP

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I’ve got an Apple iwatch - they aren’t cheap, and I had been thinking about ending my contract until earlier this year. But it’s been a source of comfort as the hospital confirmed my iWatch caught the same pattern as their ECG - ST Depression. They could provide exact lead numbers etc so more detailed. But my iwatch clearly showed the same crazy waves (as I called them). So now if I’m not feeling A1 I check that and it reassures me. I do also have a cheap blood pressure kit as well. I’m waiting for a myocardial profusion scan. Ive been diagnosed with Microvascular Dysfunction/Coronary Artery Spasms. I get the feeling the scan is just to confirm there aren’t any valve issues or any other problems lurking after a series of trips to A&E. The waiting list is long. But I’m stable at the mo, the meds are doing their trick, so I’m not worried about it. So yeah I’m an advocate.

I really should be on commission 😂😂

[Jocastina]

If your cardiac rehab service is taking phone calls I think they could probably tell you your targets adjusted for bisoprolol?

[Gazzer83]

There are plenty of chep monitors/watches you can buy without the expense of a brand name and they do a just a good and some cases better.

Just remember they are a guide not gospel. Your body will tell you when enough is enough. You just got to learn to listen.

Just Google bisoprolol and you can read about effects.

American site are better as they have better detail and advise.

Just don't expect to go back to the way it was before your event.

Good luck.

Gary

[Gibson01]

your cardiac rehab nurse should be able to recommend a heart rate that you should not exceed as you start to exercise. Cardiologists tell you they are not accurate, but in my experience both Fitbit and Apple watch seem to correlate quite well with heart rate results from hospital bp machines. Which are also not particularly accurate. Nurses have told be that they both will miss weak pulses.It's best to check your pulse manually and compare it with the results the watches give.

As others have said these are only a guide, don't treat them as A

[richard_jw]

I had a heart attack a year ago. Then there was no rehab. It started 6 weeks ago, and I have found it very helpful. For me it has made the difference between virtually no help and quite a lot. Before rehab, If I was feeling unwell, the only option was to go to A&E. With rehab, the nurses can answer most of the questions about how you are feeling, whereas I have found that if you ring a GP, they will just send you to A&E.

The rehab people loaned me an Oxymeter and you note your pulse rate after each set of exercises. I have one, but the one they loaned me works much better. They are much cheaper than an apple watch!

Beta Blockers. After my MI I was put on 2.5mg of Bisoprolol. I have to say I felt like a zombie. It did lower my heartbeat to around 60 at rest.

I found that exercise was like wading through treacle. After a year, I came off bisoprolol, gradually, and indeed my resting heart rate is now around 75. So you really do need to make allowances for beta blockers in your exercise regime. On BBs it was difficult to get my heart rate beyond 100-110. Now it can get to 135.

The HRM I have is called an Oxy watch, and it works well. It costs anywhere from 25 to 50 ukp

[Enonykasper]

Hi I have a Apple Watch I’ve always had one as I count steps each day etc on it I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and have to be careful with my exercise

I noticed a change in my heart on my watch it wouldn’t even count it used to give all random numbers

I went to my cardiologist and he did some test and found out I had 24,900 extra heartbeats a day

I have now had a ICD FITTEDon the 26th April 2021

And take bisoprozol

And monitor my heart rate always

If I have two heartbeats together it shows me them if it jumps as mine does from day 62 beats to 130 it shows me and I use the Activity App and it saves it all so I can compare

And show my doctor

I can also do an ECG and send it to my doctor and it also says I have had 5 Arterial fibulation events

I live my watch find it very reassuring

And after years of having one for a long time

It did help me decide something had changed with my heart

With hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

You can have a heart rhythm that contributes to sudden death

And the change in my reading on my watch made me go to the doctor as I can’t feel my extra heart beats

Maybe that’s why the call it sudden death cause you can’t feel them extra beats

Hope this helps you decide 👍🏻