working out and beta blockers

[jonny_uk]

Hi, im a male 41 years old, and for the past 8 months i have been working out 3 or 4 times a week  and healthy eating in order to get in shape, i have gone from 195lbs to 160lbs, however panic attacks and anxiety that i have been battling with for some time started coming back.The doctor put me on propanalol 80mg a day, which for the first week really helped, however i noticed my resting heart rate had gone from around 72 bpm to 57bpm, and while working out it has gone from 158bpm to no more than 126bmp I realise that beta blockers are meant to slow the heart rate down, so do i accept the new heart rate, or train harder in order to raise it back to 158+ i have tried a little but i feel im pushing myself too much, also this past week (the 3rd week of taking them) i have been having headaches, and some tingling/numbness in my in my left arm, i dont want to quit the excercise regime but with my heart rate not being natural and being slowed by drugs...does it mean that my cardio workouts are a waste of time ?
any advice greatly appreciated

[twehner5]

I guess when you're taking the drug for different reasons, the "low" is different.  I can't remember how much I was taking, but I think it was only 40mg.  My BP, too, was a bit on the high side before I started taking it - very similar to yours 140/85.  But one of the main reasons I went off was my doctor was hoping it was causing my extreme tiredness.  I DID learn to deal with the workout difficulties while taking it - but my doctor wanted me off of it anyway.  My BP stayed down even when I went off of it, too, which was a good thing.

Let me know what your doctor says - you really should make sure what you're doing is safe.

[jonny_uk]

hi twehner5 thanks for that...no as far as i know i am fighting fit since working out over the past 8 months, i guess although our conditions are/were different it doesnt really matter as its the same drug...i thought 80 MG was the smallest amount you could take, how much where you on ?
i dont struggle with the workouts, i still workout at the same levels as i did before, but i cant get my heart rate up...im guessing beofre the drugs if it was resting at 72ish and i got it up to 158....if my resting rate is now lower ..should i expect the training level to be lower to match this....yes i'll have to run it by the doctor...before i started working out my blood pressure was a little on the high side...but since working out and eating well it got to a normal level around 130/85 now its around 118/70 .....which is a little on the low side but not dangerously low i dont think....thanks for your help anyway.much appreciated

[twehner5]

I actually took propanalol, too, but I took it as a prophylactic for migraines.  I also do strenuous cardio workouts and found them MUCH harder to do on this medication.  BUT, since I was taking the medication for a different reason - and I was taking a much smaller dose - I would ask your doctor if it is prudent to push your heart rate so much.

I had a stress test, though, and I was 42 at the time.  My doctor attended the test and said it was quite safe for my heart rate to reach 180...  I hope this helps, BUT I WOULD STILL RUN THIS BY YOUR DOCTOR.  You also didn't mention if you have any other health conditions...

[jonny_uk]

thanks i'll try and re post this

[Got_To_Do_It]

You might get a better response posting this question on the exercise and fitness forum rather than the weight loss forum :)

It is good that you know your own body so well and maybe worth seeing your dotor again with your stats and asking his advice re the working out.