exercise when taking beta blockers??

[sarahdollygirl]

Hi all

I have Churg Strauss, currently under control.  I have now developed a problem with my heart, so am taking Beta blockers along with methotrexate etc etc.  Now aware that I am getting flabby; used to combat this with power walking, I am now 56 - should I attempt this now??  Any advice welcome.

thank you

[Albasain]

In general, walking at any pace should help reduce excess flab. it is the duration of the walk that matters and is suggested at a minimum of 40 minutes per day if possible. My wife who is post heart attack and has atrial fibrillation regularly walks and she is also on beta-blockers so I don't think these should cause any problems.

[vivdunstan Volunteer]

If you are concerned about exercise given your heart condition you could try to lose weight instead by reducing your food intake. This needn't be as hard as it sounds. I've lost 3 stone over the last year by doing just that, shedding much of my steroid weight gain. I have more excess weight still to lose, but it is still going well. All by moderating portion sizes and reducing snacking. I also keep a food diary of what I eat, to help retrain me from bad habits. I have blogged about it here before. I cannot exercise at all due to the MS-like form of my cerebral vasculitis.

My healthy husband has also lost 3 stones without exercising, in his case over 2 years. Just middle age spread around the tummy with him. Again purely by reducing food intake.

If you do decide to exercise, or want to, I would recommend at least talking to your GP and preferably consultant first. I talked to both mine about my diet.

[Hidden]

Definitely Sarah! Any exercise is beneficial especially to those with heart problems. You may need to start slowly and build it up gradually. That's what I did and I now walk 3 miles a day. 

[PMRpro]

Speak to your doctor about what is OK. The main problem with betablockers and exercise is that they may moderate your BP and heart rate so they can't/don't rise in response to your exercise - and that can lead to feeling feak and weeble and fatigued when you try to increase the exercise level! Start low key and build up very slowly and see what you can manage. But don't force anything.

[Jools52]

I am sorry but your typos really gave me a well needed laugh. I feel " feak & weeble " quite often. Lol. Really, thanks for the unintended laugh