reaching target rate while on beta blockers

[ffmedic11]

Hi,

I have been on Flecainide and Acebutolol for about a month now and it got me thinking...while on the medications my highest recorded heart rate while exercising has been about 120.  This is much lower than my recommended target heart rate while performing aerobic exercise.  

Does the fact that my heart rate stays lower than my predicted target heart rate while exercising mean that my body and heart are not receiving the benefit of the aerobic exercise I am doing?

Before being on the medications my heart rate would be 170 or 180 during vigorous exercise, now doing the same exact exercise, my heart rate is maybe 120.  I feel fine while exercising, just wondering if the exercise is as beneficial to me with a lower heart rate.

Thanks

[Benny0147]

my question is...if the heart rate stays so low..arent you getting less the good benifits ? my sport demands high zone... ?

[DodyRosy]

Since you are on meds that lower you heart rate and control tachycardia your rate will be much lower during exercise (that is the function of the meds) and this is not a bad thing. You definitely receive the same benefits (and less risk) with the lower heart rate. Some people can not even hit 100 on betablockers. I have been in cardiac rehab for 9 months since open heart surgery and they do not use the target heart rate for people on rate lowering drugs. They base it on how tired you feel on a scale of 1 -10. Keep exercising if it is ok by your doctor. It is still beneficial for you heart, it is getting the same workout as it would at a higher rate if not medicated.

[MAB22]

I take 25 mg of atenolol a day, a low dose.  How much do you take?  Is it a low dose?  I am still able to reach 85% to 90% of my target heart rate (even higher too).  My heart must not be in that great of shape.  I take atenolol for a fast heart rate.  I take at 5:30 pm at night and I usually work out the next day, either at 12 noon or towards the end of my dosage, just so I can reach target heart rates.  I like to get my heart rate up, because I feel better, keeps my blood pressure and heart rate down.  I don't know if I would feel the same benefits if I didn't get my heart rate up to higher levels.  I work out toward the end of my dosage, to try to get my heart rate up.  I think it is important to still try to achieve those higher heart rates, as long as your heart is structurally  sound and MD says is ok.  Hope everything works out.  

[Jerry_NJ]

While one of the main uses of beta blockers is to lower the HR, and BP, it is surprising to me you had that significant a reduction.  Are your numbers: speed, slope, weight, whatever work you can measure while working out, the same as when you got 170+ bpm?  I would add a HR in the range of 180 is pushing it even at your young age.

I don't understand, you muscles still need the oxygen, the beta blockers are not putting more oxygen in the blood, so the slower HR should be delivering less oxygen.  How do your muscles feel, are they "screaming for oxygen"?

[FJOHNONE]

Mine went from 140 to 109 on beta blockers. I ran marathons and other races. I figure meds like this are like oral pacemakers in that they limit heart rate and rhythm so the heart maxs out at a lower level.
Right now I am taking a time out from flecainide after two years and see what happens to my exercise numbers. Very few cardiologists are runners, at least the ones I know so when I bring it up to them, all I get is, "Its still a good thing to exercise."
I will keep you posted. Early results show that I am doing the same machine, the same output for the same amount of time and I feel less winded.