Taking Beta Blockers and cycling

stubs
stubs Posts: 5,001
edited April 2010 in Training, fitness and health
Just got back from the hospital. I saw a specialist about my irregular heart beat which is something I have probably had all my life but was only spotted when I was 21 when I failed the physical to try out for the Royal Marines.

It hasnt bothered me I have done a fair bit of sport over the last 23 years Rugby, Cricket, sailing, Fell walking and lots and lots of cycling. However the last year or so I have noticed it is getting worse sometimes in bed I can feel my heart beating fast.

Finally got to see the specialist and had lots of tests. They have put me on Beta Blockers to try and calm things down, if it doesnt work they are talking about a pace maker :shock:

Has anyone got any experience of cycling and taking Beta Blockers and has some tips on how to best manage my medication.

Mods: Hi I have posted the same topic on the MTB section but I thought I would repost this here to get the widest possible advice
Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap

Comments

  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    I take a beta blocker each night for blood pressure. Don't really have any problems with them although I do seem much calmer these days. Nothing worries me. I have noticed that I am unable to get my heart rate up to my normal riding around number of 130-135. It seems to want to sort of stop and hold around 120 theses days. The doctor says this is normal with beta blockers. Eventually if I ride long enough or hard enough the rate can get
    into the 150's. This is not a big deal to me, as I'm 61 and don't really TRAIN, so to speak.
    I just ride a fair amount. In the FWIW column beta blockers are banned at most major billiard tournaments as an illegal drug due to their calming nature(or something like that).
  • juankerr
    juankerr Posts: 1,099
    I was taking beta blockers last year to control cluster migraines. They were great to be honest as they sorted the migraines and had positive sides effects along the lines of what dennisn said, without any negative side effects.

    But in terms of cycling, your body will find it harder to produce adrenalin, which would explain the lower heart rate, so you may notice that you are cycling slower. The reason they are banned in some sports is the adrenalin blocking means that your hands are less likely to shake, hence they have been taken by snooker players and shooters.

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