Atenelol and Exercise

[jaycee627]

I'm thankful for this site. My mind has been racing coming up with reasons for my situation. I starting working out a gym recently, overweight by about 40 lbs, but facing surgery. I have felt awful after exercising and, like others, I can't acheive the heart rate they list as optimal while exercising. My joints are so achy after 3 weeks I feel like I have the flu - thought I would feel lots better. I started wondering about the effects of 50mg Atenelol and starting taking my BP & pulse several time during the day. I can't get my pulse above 52 at rest. I'll try your suggests and wean off of the Atenelol at least take 1/2 a pill for a few weeks and see if I notice any difference. What a set back -- you finally get yourself to mentally positive about loosing weight and getting healthy ... any other suggestions are more than welcome!

[jaycee627]

Thanks for your reply. I'm having a prophylactic bilateral mastecomy Nov. 21 and am optomistic about a "clean" pathology. Atenelol was diagnosed at 50 (orginally 25) mg for high blood pressure, chest pressure from stress and too many PVCs. I'm wondering if I can't tolerate the reduction in medication how other people exercise and lose weight on it (?). I was hoping with addition of the 45 minute workout at Curves and a 2.5 miles walk each day I would lessen the need for the meds. I will contact the doctor, but I normally get a lukewarm answer.

[Flycaster305]

You simply won't get your heart rate at 'optimal' levels while taking a beta blocker.  Basically, beta blockers are designed to give your heart a rest.  What surgery are you going to have? What type of heart issue are you dealing with?  I'd certainly correspond with your doctor about your symptoms and be agressive about it, but if you have a serious heart issue, self-medicating is probably a really bad idea.  If you aren't comfortable with your doctor, I'd get another opinion.  
Keep us informed, best wishes.