Metabolism slowdown while on a beta blocker?

[Puddles]

I've been stuck and my bf isn't going down very well. Admittedly, my diet hasn't been perfect, but I have eaten worse and still lost fat in the past. I'm down about 65 lbs in 1.5 yrs. I think there's a correlation between my blood pressure medication (it's a beta-adrenergic receptor blocking med, Propranolol HCl) and my metabolism slowing down.

I had been off the meds for much of the summer and had good progress, but lately I've had to go back on the med and I'm wondering if there might be a connection to my fat loss slowing down and taking the med. When I'm taking the med. my pulse averages about 20-25 bpm less than when I'm not on meds. When on meds, if I do cardio, I can't get my heart rate over 115.

A few weeks ago I took a 2 week break from my strict diet and gained 5 lbs. I really didn't go overboard, but I gain fat very easily. I've lost a little of it (maybe 1.5 lbs.), but still fighting to get back to where I was a few weeks ago. My husband has suggested that I do cardio to increase my metabolism. I HATE cardio and I don't know if it has any real benefit to me anyway, especially when I can't get my heart rate up when I do it.

Anyone have any comments?

 

[MS]

The older beta bolckers such as propranolol are notorious for increasing insulin resistance which leads to weight gain and potentially diabetes. I would strongly suggest you talk to your doc about getting on different meds (such as dilevalol, carvedilol or celiprolol) which do not have this side effect.

 

[b fold the truth]

I was using Atenolol (Tenormin) when I was younger to help with the prevention of migraines. When I was competing in Martial Arts I would not take them the week before the conest...I could never get going or "pumped up" because it seemed to supress my heart rate too much.

B True

 

[MS]

Yup, beta blockers can slow the metabolism down (~10%). However this does not mean there's no point in exercising.... You may just need an extra 10% exercise, or 10% less food to maintain bodyweight!

 

[vinylgroover]

Cardio will do you good Puddles.

Remember, cardio doesn't necessarily mean a stationary bike or stairmaster etc, cardio can be a brisk walk which is far more enjoyable than walking or running on the spot.

If you are near the beach Puddles, fast walking on sand is a great cardio workout and enjoyable.

 

[Puddles]

It's interesting to read that I was on the right track here...

I originally gained most of the weight that I've just lost after I was put on the beta blocker (although I have always leaned towards a high bf% compared to my eating habbits). I'm actually on a very high doseage...one pharmacist didn't believe that the prescript was for me...thought it had to be for an older person. Since late summer I'd been able to keep it to half of the prescribed doseage, but lately I've had to go back up. I know it's mainly stress related though and I just need to control my internal reactions in some instances. A couple of months ago I was very angry and felt my bp go up...tested it with our monitor and it was in the 180's over 120's, just from being pissed off. I'm such an emotional person.

The cardio I truly hate is treadmill...I feel like a hampster in a cage running on a wheel going NOWHERE. I suggested to my hubby that we should just have more sex...he liked that idea. hehehe I need to check out the aerobics classes at my gym too...I like dancing and I'd probably enjoy the classes better than the treadmill. Unfortunately I don't live very close to the beach anymore, but I could walk the golf course...it's beautiful this time of the year! Gotta love Florida!

I'm gonna get through the holidays and see how the bp is doing and then I'll make a visit to the doc and try something else...although when I was first put on this med, we'd tried 3 others before we saw any benefits and this one has been wonderful for migrane prevention.

Thanks folks!

 

[MS]

Have you tried any ACE inhibitors yet? They may actually improve insulin sensitivity in some people, and are often as good as beta blockers at preventing migraines. Weight gain is not really an issue with ACE inhibitors.

But whatever drugs you take, exercise and a good diet are still the most important interventions you can make to control BP and migraines. So by all means find an activity that you can enjoy and DO IT with enough intensity and frequency to make a diference.