exercise and beta blockers

Posts: 282
2/3/12 10:14 P

I have another related question about beta blockers and exercise. Because your heart rate does not go up, does that mean that people on beta blockers will not be able to tolerate as much exercise? Does it mean that our muscles won't get as much oxygen pumped to them as they should?

Posts: 22
11/13/11 7:35 P

Thanks everybody for the feedback. I have been working with a personal trainer and she was anxious for me to get "in the zone". I just need to tell her when I feel I am working at my max even though there isn't the elevated heart rate.

SparkPoints: (27,909)
Fitness Minutes: (21,191)
Posts: 2,739
11/13/11 11:14 A

I take a beta blocker and have the same issue. Heart rate simply isn't a reliable measure to use. As the previous posters have said, you just have to estimate your level of exertion using other indicators.

It doesn't bother me because all the measurements, calculations, and formulas used for exercise and weight loss are estimates anyway. Unless you are in a scientific research lab using highly sophisticated equipment and procedures, of course. The numbers we use in everyday life are just approximations.

Edited by: ONLINEASLLOU at: 11/13/2011 (21:19)

Posts: 12,394
11/12/11 11:14 P

For most people, weight loss is 80% nutrition, and just 20% exercise. And there is a fair bit of evidence out there that strength training is actually more effective than cardio for longer term weight loss. So regardless of your heart rate, you should be able to lose weight.

As far as I know, activity still burns calories, regardless of better blockers.

However, beta blockers do make your heart rate a pretty unreliable means of tracking exercise intensity. You may want to look at the Rate of Perceived Exertion as an alternative measure of exercise intensity at www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_artic
les.asp?id=1044

M@L

SparkPoints: (158,833)
Fitness Minutes: (112,042)
Posts: 46,222
11/12/11 10:36 P

ICEANGEL222,

When one is taking a Beta Blocker you cannot use heart rate zone for training, however, you can use the rate of perceived exertion or the talk test (see link below) to measure exercise intensity.

I am not aware that these meds prevent weight loss.

www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_artic
les.asp?id=639

Coach Nancy

Posts: 22
11/12/11 8:49 P

Has anyone figured out about use of beta blockers, low resting heart rate, and how to get "in the zone" for cardio when heart rate stays in the mid 40's to 50's? Do Beta blockers inhibit weight loss because of this? Inquiring minds what to know!!!!!