Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

beta blocker and exercise

I am a 48 year old male, doing an intense at home exercise program.
I take a beta blocker each morning for hypertension.
However, I notice that when I exercise my heart rate either doesn't get as high as desirable or takes much longer to get there.
In fact, the last time I had did an echo stress test my heart rate took an extra long time to get to the desired level.  The cardiologist told me that next time I should take the beta blocker after the stress test.
Would it be advisable on a regular basis to take the beta blocker AFTER exercising as well in order for my heart to get a better work out?
16 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
976897 tn?1379167602
You know I find all this quite hilarious. How many times have you been in hospital and how many hospitals and under how many cardiologists? I've stayed in 5 different hospitals, been under 2 surgeons and 4 different cardiologists. You hear a lot of contradictions between them and you start asking questions, lots of them. Whenever I see a cardiologist/surgeon, I don't just sit there listening, I ask things. My last 15 minute outpatient appointment was for 20 mins but lasted an hour. One thing I asked about was the magical 64/128 slice scanner, rather than an angiogram. The cardiologist said to stop reading the internet so much but I explained how I heard about it on a heart forum. I was told the scanner is inadequate for their needs which is why they are not used, an angiogram is the best there is. It was explained to me how newer angio labs can produce very good 3D images with the equipment, but for looking at arteries, 2D is sufficient.
The Cardiologist who told me about the beta blockers is world renown and teaches in your country too. If you feel you can take him on with his qualifications and background in research, I will gladly send you his contact details.
Helpful - 0
367994 tn?1304953593
"Increase blood flow with a stent no longer need to take a beta blocker". >>>> To mechanically increase blood flow, how would that eliminate the need for a beta blocker?  Beta blocker (coreg) helps the heart with stronger contractions and relaxation of the blood vessels.  A stent does not make a healthy heart??? That's my point the under lying cause remains and coreg helps.

Medication, stent, bypass increases blood flow and relieves the symptoms of an occlusion, it does not cure anything!!!!  Medication is required to treat the underpinnings of CAD and prevent or help prevent restenosis, etc. How in the world does stopping a beta blocker medication with the now increased blood flow from a stent help with stronger heartbeats, maintain stability of the heartbeat, etc.? How does your teacher cardiologist explain that? A stent does not MAKE a healthy heart...that is my point!

I am serious when I ask if you are a student!  Very many of your replies relate to what a doctor states.  To me that indicates you spend a lot of time discussing issues with a doctor or you are exposed to their teachings.  Or you may be employed with a hospital?. For an example, I remember you saying after a doctor completed doing stent implant said to you "another patient is CURED",  that doesn't make sense either...there is no CURE for CAD.  Don't be offended by asking if you are a student, it appears that way to me!  It is your many proclamations involving a doctor to add to your credibility and relate information to a doctor's pronouncements that sometimes doesn't make sense..  

I have been at reading an answering posts for more than 7 years, and you are the first in my memory that has so many answers attributed to what a doctor has told you!  There isn't anything wrong with being a student, and that your many responses relate to your understanding what a doctor has said to you.  That is what is funny, odd, strange, etc.

Helpful - 0
976897 tn?1379167602
"I don't see how medication or stent that increases blood flow eliminates the usefulness of coreg (beta blocker) "

What!!
Who mentioned medication to increase blood flow? What you are saying basically is that if you have a healthy heart, you should still take them. That is really saying the whole population of the planet should be on them. If your heart is perfectly fine, then why take beta blockers which can provoke diabetes type 2, cause Tiredness, depression, impotence, vivid dreams, nightmares and other sleeping problems, reduce blood flow to hands/feet/skin causing coldness. Why go through all those possibilities when you don't have to.

"Are you a student?"   are you trying to be funny again?
Helpful - 0
367994 tn?1304953593
From my understanding (coreg)  the medication  provides better heart pumping contractility and helps lower high blood pressure (that would be the reason for continuation).  I don't see how medication or stent that increases blood flow eliminates the usefulness of coreg (beta blocker) medication? Are you a student?

Helpful - 0
976897 tn?1379167602
My Cardiologist at Imperial College said this year he will be starting a study as to why so many patients are on beta blockers. He said that it's correct to put a patient on this med when diagnosed with ischemia for example, but after intervention and a good blood flow is restored to all areas of the heart, why do you need them. He believes too many people are on this medication when it isn't necessary. I was shocked when he told me to come off mine, after being told for years they were necessary. It was quite scary. However, the extra energy you feel after just 24-48 hours is amazing.
Helpful - 0
159619 tn?1707018272
COMMUNITY LEADER
When you exercise, you set your level based on your goals. It is true that the most cardiac benefit comes at rates between 50 and 75% of your max. If you want to lose weight it will normally take a higher rate. If your goal is to increase HDL it will take 80% of your max to make that happen.

There is no cardiac benefit from exceeding 85% of your max which is why I stay under it. In addition, the more you push, the better you control your weight as well as it's also about calories burned. I try to burn 4,000 calories per week.

FYI, ex-Mainer here as well, from Cape Elizabeth. I miss those drives up the coast to your neck of the woods "down east".


Jon
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal

perhaps I missed the fact that you want to achieve your target heart rate...again you don't have to reach that target for cardio-vascular fitness.  that is usually the guide for upper limit.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal

Am I missing something?  why do you want to get your heart rate up?  If you are able to exercise comfortably at a low heart rate great...that means your cardiovascular system is working well.  the lower your heart rate the better even during exercise.
Helpful - 0
367994 tn?1304953593
I had/have a problem with getting my heart rate above 125... My stress test was stopped at 7.2 METs after about 5 minutes 6 years ago and so I go more by the physiological effects seen by stress test and not get higher than I am comfortable.

The EKG with the stress test showed depressed st segment and that is supposed to represent ischemia and that was the cause for stopping the test. That could mean my heart cells were not getting enough oxygenated blood at 7.2 METs although I wasn't experiencing angina.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Ken, thanks for your note! I honestly base my exercise on my mood.:) For me regularity is the most troublesome.  When I do not do anything for 2-3 days, I feel bad about myself then work out with more division and passion.:) Lately only kundalini yoga.:) It is more than exercise and lower my BP, I know just from feeling it.   I almost never check my heart rate or BP anymore.
Going  back to walking-running-swimming all on my list, now the snow and cold is good excuse not to.
  When I do start those again maybe I will pay attention  for the numbers that you mentioned . Thanks!
Helpful - 0
159619 tn?1707018272
COMMUNITY LEADER
Clarification, I use a treadmill 3-4 days a week and neglected to add that I use the bike the other days. Main thing is I work out daily a 130 - 140 BPM.
Helpful - 0
159619 tn?1707018272
COMMUNITY LEADER
Interesting, I have been discussing exercise with our cardiologists for a few days. My routine has always been based on heart rate. I walk at 4 mph (wish I could run but these mechanical knees prevent that) at an incline of 4 -5  for 45 mins 3- 4 days a week and 30 - 45 mins the rest of the week at 5 mets. Both routines will yield a heart rate of 130-140 (80-85% of max). I like to push to 10-11 mets on the bike for a few mins which will give me 90 - 95% of my max.

In asking the cardiologists which is better, they have all told me to base your work out on heart rate, mets usually benefits athletes but not the everyday person. I like using heart rate as I know exactly what my heart rate will be at each setting so I can bring it up and down in a controlled manner. Also, a couple times a week I'll also track my blood pressure when working out, just to make sure I have a proper BP response, it's interesting to hear what works best for each person.

For the OP, Ken is correct and that is how you should calculate the heart rate you want to achieve. Also, I would not advise taking your BP meds after working out, they are taken in the morning for a reason so before you try that discuss it with your doctor.

Jon
Helpful - 0
367994 tn?1304953593
Hi vienna, we all may not have a distinquishing physical reaction felt with known or unknown signs with target heart rates.  The target heart rate is supposed be the most benefical for the heart.  I don't know the basis of a target heart rate being 220 minus age but that is the general consensus.

Frankly, I don't relate my exercise with the heart rate.  I base the exercise on the number of METs (4.4 for me) with a gauge included with health center's equipment that shows the degree of exertion.  I know after about 7 years what is the appropriate exertion. I don't push myself to any maxium exertion!...I do a brisk walk (3.6 mph) for 20 minutes 3X, week lift weights, and flexibility routine.  Flexibility is probably the most under rated exercise routine, as many individuals fall due to a slow reflex to an imbalance situation, or have an loss of balance abnormally from not doing correct exercise for flexibility.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
:) I havent seen your post. I think my body is like a horse, can not feel the different. :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Try both ways. Take it a couple of times before and then after. Your body will feel the different if it is any. And that is your answer. Can’t say from my own experiences for me doesn’t matter when I take my   metoprolol. But our bodies behave differently and telling us the only truth what is a truth for us as an individual.
Helpful - 0
367994 tn?1304953593
We all have our heart reduced with a beta blocker.  I haven't heard of taking a beta blocker after the exercise routine. My understanding is use your resting heart rate as your guide, figure out the decrease in your heart rate as a result of the beta blocker. For example, if your resting heart rate is 70 without a beta blocker and 50 with a beta blocker, that’s a difference of 20. When calculating your target heart rate, subtract this number from the result. That’s your “beta blocked” target heart rate and is equivalent to what your target heart rate would be without the beta blocker.

I have been following that protocol for more than 7 years without any ill effects.  
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Community

Top Heart Disease Answerers
159619 tn?1707018272
Salt Lake City, UT
11548417 tn?1506080564
Netherlands
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.