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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
What happened to my metabolism?
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
What happened to my metabolism?
by randyman, Dec 01, 2003 12:00AM
Two years ago I had several heart attacks over a one month period. As a result, I was put on Toprol XL 200mg, Altace 5 mg, and Zocor 20 mg. When I left the hospital, they said it was imperative for me to put some weight back on (I had dropped to 145 pounds, from 170 while I was in the hospital.) Well, I went overboard and now weigh in the area of 180. I walk 1.5 miles, 5 days a week. I have cut significant calories out of my diet, approx. 500 calories a day (snacks). But, I can't seem to lose any weight. When I was younger, walking always melted the pounds. Is it a result of being older (45 now), the medication, the heart attacks, or do I just need to exercise more?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-RCJ, Dec 02, 2003 12:00AM
randyman,
You're gettin' over the hill, man.
Seriously, though, as we age it becomes increasingly difficult to lose weight. It takes more effort to keep weight off, often because we are less active when we are not "officially" exercising. I've had this same difficulty, as will have most of your peers.
There are many weight loss strategies out there, but one thing is clear: only a minority of persons can actually lose weight by starving themselves. The impulse to eat and be full is strong, so most people have to eat a significant volume of food each day to feel satiated. I most often recommend changing the foods you eat to include some high fiber food, like oatmeal, whole bread, and lots of vegetables. This is not easy. If you are a reader, I think Dean Ornish's book is a decent one to get some guidance.
One last idea. The beta-blocker may indeed be impacting your energy level somewhat, but this medicine's benefits for cardioprotection outweigh the detriment of fatigue.
Good luck.
You're gettin' over the hill, man.
Seriously, though, as we age it becomes increasingly difficult to lose weight. It takes more effort to keep weight off, often because we are less active when we are not "officially" exercising. I've had this same difficulty, as will have most of your peers.
There are many weight loss strategies out there, but one thing is clear: only a minority of persons can actually lose weight by starving themselves. The impulse to eat and be full is strong, so most people have to eat a significant volume of food each day to feel satiated. I most often recommend changing the foods you eat to include some high fiber food, like oatmeal, whole bread, and lots of vegetables. This is not easy. If you are a reader, I think Dean Ornish's book is a decent one to get some guidance.
One last idea. The beta-blocker may indeed be impacting your energy level somewhat, but this medicine's benefits for cardioprotection outweigh the detriment of fatigue.
Good luck.
After a triple BP 4 years ago I became disenchanted with all of the meds and side effects and have been off everything for 2 years. I recently had one of the newer nuclear scans (not thallium) and it came back normal. Through diet and exercise I dropped from 278 to 263. Then I started B Blockers (first 25mg of Atenolol then 10mg Zebeta). The weight loss stopped even though I live primarily on fish and veggies and only about 50g of carbs a day. I exercise regularly.
Is there literature that addresses the effect of B Blockers on metabolism? Are they the best choice (my reg blood pressure is 120/80)? Shouldn't my weight be as great a concern as the benefits of the B Blockers?
Thanks!