Re: weight loss and Atenolol

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on February 19, 1999 at 13:23:29:

In Reply to: weight loss and Atenolol posted by susan  on February 18, 1999 at 20:14:05:






I was put on Atenolol for moderately high blood pressure approx 2 years ago.  I have gained a considerable amount of weight (25 lbs) and even with diet and exercise unable to lose weight.  I've always had to watch my weight as I am short but was always able to drop 15 pounds if necessary.  Could the blood pressure medication be causing a problem with my metabolism?





Dear Susan
Atenolol does not cause weight gain. It does blunt your body's response to exercise, by keeping the heart rate from increasing to a very high level. In that sense, you may burn less calories from exercise because you are unable to exercise as vigorously. The way around this is to just exercise for a longer duration of time.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.