Beta Blockers and Exercise

Hi Everyone: I had RNY surgery about 12 years ago. 2 years after surgery I was in car accident and have slowly gained weight due to my rehabilitation. I now have severe anxiety and was put on a beta blocker (atenolol) for the fast heart rate and bp. It has worked well. I'm nervous to exercise because I've been reading your heart rate doesn't get to a good enough level to up your metabolism. I don't know what other medication to look into that wouldn't give me this speed bump. I don't tolerate depression meds (can't keep steady enough level).

Anyone else been on this an exercised and lost successfully?

Thanks,

Brenda

• By all means beta blockers should not be an excuse not to exercise. Regular exercise can lower your BP & HR eliminating the need to take beta blockers in the first place.

What needs to be watched out is that you should not over exert yourself trying to reach a certain heart rate that may have been easy to achieve prior to you taking Beta blockers.

You should always consult with a MD before undertaking a new exercise program but I seriously doubt any doctor would tell you don't bother exercising because of beta blockers.

Thank you. I'm on low dose 12.mg atenolol mostly to control fast heart rate from anxiety. I definitely want to exercise and safely. I wasn't sure if anyone knhere was dealing with same. But I will definitely talk to the doc about it. :) thanks again!

Study shows that exercise makes us happy - diet helps us lose weight.

Diet is 90% exercise - at best - 10%.

Strenuous exercise always makes me very hungry and I tend to eat more. I started exercising when I lost too much too weight and wanted to gain some appetite so I could eat more.

Weigh lifting - even smaller weights - may help build muscles?. Muscles burn more energy even when we sleep.