Question on Betablockers and Exercise?!
Question: Hello, I have been on a beta blocker 12.5 mg for about a year now , and due to fears of my heart racing have done excerise since probably july of 07. I am 22 etc I was put on the drug for high heart rates and anxiety. Am I at any risk for a heart attack if I begin to use the treadmill , and does anyone have any tips? I am a bit worried- I did 5 minutes on the tread mil maybe 5-10 minutes ago and I still feel slightly winded.
Thank you.
and yes I do have an anxiety disorder
Answers: Hello, I have been on a beta blocker 12.5 mg for about a year now , and due to fears of my heart racing have done excerise since probably july of 07. I am 22 etc I was put on the drug for high heart rates and anxiety. Am I at any risk for a heart attack if I begin to use the treadmill , and does anyone have any tips? I am a bit worried- I did 5 minutes on the tread mil maybe 5-10 minutes ago and I still feel slightly winded.
Thank you.
and yes I do have an anxiety disorder
At your age your risk for a heart attack is extremely low especially if your exercise regimen is graded and prudent. The beta blocker is not also good for anxiety but is cardioprotective. It may lower your exercise tolerance a bit and if you have been relatively inactive you are probably deconditioned also so you get a little winded. Start slow and stop with excess fatigue or symptoms. Build up gradually with additional minutes without pushing yourself excessively.
If your are worried count your pulse before, during and after exercise and keep a log. If you are careful things should be fine.
as long as you don't have cholesterol deposits in your heart, you can do exercise safely and normally. it will improve blood flow and may even bring the blood pressure down if done regularly. but make sure you do it calmly and slowly. build up speed gradually. but im warning you, if you have cholesterol, you are at a very high risk of heart attack during exercise.