Beta Blockers and exercise

[Jojojo1966]

I was recently put on a beta blocker for my hypertension. I also starting exercising again after 5 years. I am 43 years old with a 4 yr old and a 18 month old. I can't get my heart rate up enough to see any benefits of the exercise after 1 month. I sweat, but I never get to the 'fat burning' level. Do I need an alternative medication? What are my options? Joann in Ohio

[smconorm]

I am a runner and cyclist and late last year I also was put on beta blockers.  I found that my exercise heart rate was at least  20% lower---around 125 rather than 155.  However, my power output is only down about 10% as measured by a dynamometer on my indoor trainer.  The gadget uses power output to convert to calaries burned, also only down by 10% in the same exercise time.  Some exercise equipment uses heart rate to calculate calaries burned ....I think power output is probably more accurate.

It would seem to me that if you extended your training session by an amount of time comparable to the power output reduction (say 10%) you would burn the same amount of fat as before.  It is my understanding that calaries are buned with any exercise and there is no set point where calaries an suddenly consumed.  Walking one mile is almost as good (from a fat burning standpoint) as running one mile.   It just might take thee times as long to walk the mile.   At any rate, I am sure any exercise, even if mild, is better than none.



  

[azrael13]

Like Ihatepalps2 said, the beta blockers are used to control the heart rate.  When I am working out or lifting weights I can usually get my heart rate up to about 120, which is good for me, but may not be good for someone else.  The blockers I am on keep my H/R at about 68 beats a minute.  It never changes, and at times I feel as if I am not getting enough blood nor oxygen.  So for me getting my H/R up like that during exercising makes me feel a whole lot better.
So just keep up the good work with your exercising, you will see a difference, trust me.

[Ihatepalps2]

hi!
Ive been on Atenolol ( beta blocker) for at least 12 years. I also canNOT get my heartrate up--thats the purpose of that med, it makes your heart not work as hard. When you exercise, its like going against the med.
My Dr told me that I SHOULDNT try to get it up much past 115--even that is a bit high. Im a 48 yr old female-maybe that makes a diff. He said pushing myself to get higher than that is not good--that I can benefit just as much from getting it around 90-100 as other people not on BB can when raising theirs way up.
He just said to "adjust my thinking downward" when it comes to calculating what my heartrate should be while exercising.