huckleberry
Posts:824
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| 06/02/2021 07:34 PM |
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Finally had my appointment with the cardiologist. Wants to start with low dose beta-blocker - 25mg of metropolis, as I have low risk of stroke, but want to reduce my symptoms.
Anybody riding while on a beta-blocker? I realize it will diminish my ability to get to my maximum heart rate, but how much will it likely affect my performance?
Thanks |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 06/03/2021 09:14 AM |
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| Don't have any answers for you huck, but hoping all works out for you on the meds!! |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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smokey52
Posts:498
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| 06/03/2021 10:15 AM |
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I take a combination ACE inhibitor/calcium channel blocker, not a beta-blocker like metoprolol. My cardiologist recommended a target heart rate based on the stress test. He also suggested that I ride for fitness, not speed.
At 69, my biggest challenge is getting older as the hills get steeper. |
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zootracer
Posts:835
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| 06/04/2021 10:06 PM |
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| I take a beta blocker twice a day with meals, Carvedilol 3.125mg and one Lisinopril 10mg (an ace inhibitor) at night prior to going to bed. I have high blood pressure and cardiomyopathy. My cardiologist at first had me on 2 Carvedilols, twice a day and it made me tired and my riding sucked, no energy. I worked together with my doctor. I kept a log of my blood pressure and I got it down to my current dosage. I upped the Lisinopril from 5 mg to 10mg as my BP spiked early last year after I lost my hearing in one ear (I regained it). I started taking my meds in 2009 when I was 67 years old. I turn 79 in August. You have to work with your doctor, hopefully he will understand that you do a lot of exercise and will work with you on your dosage. I have problems with the hills, but hell, I'm old. I still can ride. |
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huckleberry
Posts:824
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| 06/05/2021 04:58 PM |
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| Thanks guys. I really like my cardiologist - he's about 60, a tall, lean, long-distance runner, so he was very sympathetic to my mindset. He's a laid out a course of treatments for me, emphasizing that each step will be my decision. I'm going to dictate how I proceed with how I feel, and what I am willing to give up bike-wise to improve those symptoms that may make my life uncomfortable. |
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zootracer
Posts:835
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| 06/07/2021 09:59 AM |
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Huck, Hard to say if the beta blockers will slow you down that much. Only thing different with me is I seldom look at my average speed after my rides.
I forgot where you live in Ca. I think you do a lot of climbing.
Zoot |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 06/07/2021 11:12 AM |
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Slow = good, no?
You guys are freaking me out with all your ailments and medications :-) |
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zootracer
Posts:835
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| 06/08/2021 08:58 PM |
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O.C. get down on your hands and knees and kiss the ground. Be thankful you don't have medical issues. I didn't until 2009 when I hit the age of 67....
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 06/08/2021 09:59 PM |
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| Zoot - I know. Still got 11 to go till 67. Fingers crossed. I’ll stay off the knees those have always been a weak link. Only lasted a day in strawberry picking job at age 15. Knees could not handle it. |
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smokey52
Posts:498
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| 06/09/2021 06:57 AM |
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| OC, the medications help keep the ailments at bay. Keeping a better level of fitness reduces the need for medication, and the medication allows maintaining activity to stay fit. |
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thinline
Posts:325
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| 09/13/2021 09:45 AM |
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Well, I am going in today for a cardioversion at 3:00 to correct an onset of atrial flutter (cousin of a-fib). I have had it several times over the years and this will be the third time I needed to have it corrected. The other times it just self-corrected after a day or so. This one does not seem to want to fix itself and I am headed to NC later this week for a week of cycling. So, getting zapped today.
I expect to be told to take metoprolol (sp?) for a while afterwards. I did that after my first episode and recall muscle fatigue when I pedaled hard because my heart rate would be lower than it should at higher efforts, slowing the flow of oxygenated blood to the muscles I suppose.
I did talk to my cardiologist about maybe it being time for a catheter ablation procedure to try and just fix the little short circuit that causes the flutter or fib to happen. Anyone have one of those done? Long-term effects etc? A friend who is a cyclist had it done after repeated episodes of a-fib and is glad he did. No occurrences since and it's been several years and he is as active as ever. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 09/13/2021 01:00 PM |
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Buddy of mine who is 60+ had an ablation last year due to a-fib.....he qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships this year and is headed to St. George Utah for the race this week.
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 09/13/2021 01:41 PM |
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| Thin line, no personal experience, but the procedure is pretty mature now. You would want a place that does a lot and has a good track record. One would expect that from UVM but I don’t know that for sure. |
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thinline
Posts:325
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| 09/13/2021 05:52 PM |
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All converted and back to normal sinus rhythm, for now anyway! Heading to Asheville Thursday. On a thinner (Eliquis) for about 3.5 more weeks and a low dose of beta blocker for now. Back to the doc on the 29th for follow up and ablation conversation. Interestingly, a close friend's brother-in-law is the head of the cardiac electrophysiology group in the cardiology department at UVM. I am pretty sure I will get good advice if I go that route!
Now, just hoping all stays normal during the upcoming bike trip. Mount Mitchell is on the dance card for next Tuesday!
Cosmic and LSD, thanks for the info. |
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smokey52
Posts:498
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| 09/13/2021 07:32 PM |
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Have a great ride!
My wife had an allergic reaction to Eliquis and had to keep with Coumadin. Hope it works for you. |
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