• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Exercise, Heart Rate & Atenonol ?

Nicholas Hoare

Nicholas Hoare

Well-Known Member
Messages
432
Location
Sheffield UK
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I am trying to loose some weight and get healthier to help my diabetes and high blood pressure.
I have just got myself an exercise bike and a "Polar" heart rate monitor and according to both, my target heart rate should be around 110 bpm +
For the last few days I have been exercising I have not managed to get my heart rate much above 80 bpm despite getting out of breath and sweaty.
I am 57 years old and on Atenonol 50mg a day, I know beta blockers lower the heart rate and my resting heart rate is about 50 bpm.
The question I am asking is what heart rate should I be aiming for to be getting the benefit from my exercises.
Thanks for any help or advice.


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
What exercise are you doing ? Different exercises can affect HR differently. Can you try something else ? I know for me I struggle to get HR high whilst cycling but jogging sends it rocketing ! I'm not sure how much your meds will affect things as I'm not aware of them but even if you can't reach HR target, there are many other benefits to be gained by doing regular exercise.


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Many thanks catherinecherub - very useful info for me. Now I know why I get so out of breath when I feel that I am not exercising that intensively.



Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Hi, Thanks for the info, I am also on Beta Blockers as I have arterial fibula ion(Irregular Heart Rate)
I am 65, and cant get my heart rate much above 85 on the treadmill, even with effort. My BP has also improved over time and I have reduced medication
I go to Gym 4 days a week
I think any exercise is very good, and am still getting the results as I consider myself quite fit for my age.
Keep it up Nicholas, Loosing weight, I think try the Low carb route, lots on info on the site, I've lost over 25 Kilos in the last 18 months, and my latest HbA1c is 28 (4.7%)
Life is good !
 
I'm on beta blockers for high bp and tachycardia. I have the same target heart rate issue and did a bit of research a few months back.
The general consensus is that we should ignore target heart rates completely, as beta blockers can make it virtually impossible to achieve. Focus instead of exercising until you feel like you've done enough... the advice I read said that if you get to the point where you can't talk anymore whilst exercising, you may have done enough. Though, I find I get to that place quickly, but can push past that.
 
Back
Top