Artificial Heart Rate ??

[Kicksnj]

Not sure where to post this question, but here goes. First off, both my parents, now deceased, died form CHF. My older brother has just been diagnosed with CHF.  I am 55, 255 lbs. 5' 11" , just had a nuclear stress test as I want to start exercising again. (Mainly on my exercise bike which I love to do)  He said all the tests were fine. No blockage, etc. I also have had  SVT for over 20 years and suffered Afib  back over a year ago with they kept me in the hospital for a few days until my heart converted back on its own. I don't think I have been back in Afib since, although I do have bouts of flutter once in a while. I have been taking Warfarin now to thin my blood for over 2 years. I have also been taking Atenolol 75mg twice a day for the SVT attacks and to keep my heart lower in BPM's. I suffer from sever panic disorder which also drives my heart crazy. I take paxil for that which doesn't seem to help all that much.

So my question is:
    I bought a HRM so I can check that I am in my safe "Target Heart Rate" while riding the exercise bike. Since I am 55 years old it says I should say in the range of 85-140 bpm. 85 low end 140 high end. BUT since I am taking the Atenolol it keeps me from beating fast. So the heart resting rate and exercise rate is really a artificial heart rate and not my real heart rate without medication. The best I have been able to get is about 98-100 bpm. But is that a true reading or am I really over exerting my heart at a much higher rate. And if so, what should my exercise target rate be taking the medication.

[Jerry_NJ]

Beta Blockers have always lowered my resting HR but have never prevented me from running my HR high from exercise.  At age 55 I would jog (run 10 minute miles average) at a HR of about 150, but at times would have to slow down to prevent the HR from going up much higher.  This was when in normal sinus rhythm, I suffer form AFib.  I weighed about 230 and 6'6" tall.

I am now in permanent AFib and take both a beta blocker and a calcium channel blocker and I have to limit my physical exercise to keep my HR below 140, I'm now 72 and a HR over 140 should be avoided.  So, while these drugs do lower my HR, they do not prevent me from pushing my HR into aerobic zones.

I can't guess the accuracy of your HR monitor, but I consider it strange, from my experience, that you can not stimulate your HR by exercise.  

[beema36]

I don't know the answer to your question but being on a betablocker I have wondered the same thing. Hopefully somebody can answer this.