I am 77, I train regularly and run outdoor 5-6 km two-three times a week.
A few days ago I had an unexpected episode of atrial fibrillation at home, while I was not even exercising.
The A.Fib .episode was shortlived ( overnight) and I didn't even feeel any symptoms or discomfort but for the cardio watch, as I was about to go running as usual,.
The cardiologist at the E.R, put me on Metaprolol ( beta blocker) to permanently decrease my standing h.r. and a blood thinner, as well, as a precaution in order to prevent possible strokes in the future.
He said, though, that it would be highly recommended to continue exercising as usual.
On my first 6 km running session after going on medication I noticed that on the very same track and for the same duration and number of lapses, my h.r. (at 70-75% of my allowed age-related maximum) has decreased by +/- 10 bpm, i.e. from 125 to about 110-112 bpm, while the perceived effort level remains the same.
This decrease was indeed expected, but I also noticed that my h.r. does no longer increase above this new lower threshold as easily as before. Actually it is stuck there or almost, whereas only two weeks ago it used to rapidly increase to 135 bpm or more for a more sustained effort. It looks as though with the medication I hit an artificial ceiling not corresponding to my body's real condition, but, artificially, by the medication..
In addition, the total calories burned on the 400 mt running track where I usually run has also decreased for the same duration and number of lapses.
Although the health of my heart and the prevention of strokes through the medication are my first priority, it is a bit unsettling to think that the betablocker, by preventing my heart to rise above that lower threshold also affects the efficiency of my cardio training.
From other posts, I noticed that this Forum is not only about diabetes issues, so I hope that somebody with similar experience can comment on this.
Thanks
Ittiandro
A few days ago I had an unexpected episode of atrial fibrillation at home, while I was not even exercising.
The A.Fib .episode was shortlived ( overnight) and I didn't even feeel any symptoms or discomfort but for the cardio watch, as I was about to go running as usual,.
The cardiologist at the E.R, put me on Metaprolol ( beta blocker) to permanently decrease my standing h.r. and a blood thinner, as well, as a precaution in order to prevent possible strokes in the future.
He said, though, that it would be highly recommended to continue exercising as usual.
On my first 6 km running session after going on medication I noticed that on the very same track and for the same duration and number of lapses, my h.r. (at 70-75% of my allowed age-related maximum) has decreased by +/- 10 bpm, i.e. from 125 to about 110-112 bpm, while the perceived effort level remains the same.
This decrease was indeed expected, but I also noticed that my h.r. does no longer increase above this new lower threshold as easily as before. Actually it is stuck there or almost, whereas only two weeks ago it used to rapidly increase to 135 bpm or more for a more sustained effort. It looks as though with the medication I hit an artificial ceiling not corresponding to my body's real condition, but, artificially, by the medication..
In addition, the total calories burned on the 400 mt running track where I usually run has also decreased for the same duration and number of lapses.
Although the health of my heart and the prevention of strokes through the medication are my first priority, it is a bit unsettling to think that the betablocker, by preventing my heart to rise above that lower threshold also affects the efficiency of my cardio training.
From other posts, I noticed that this Forum is not only about diabetes issues, so I hope that somebody with similar experience can comment on this.
Thanks
Ittiandro
