Weight loss taking beta blockers, etc.

[Cynaburst]

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering what everyone's experiences were with weight control while taking beta blockers. I have been on them for a little over a year, during which I put on 10 - 15 lbs. I was already overweight at the time having just delivered a son, so I am now really trying to lose the weight.

What I am wondering is how a slowed heart rate (like from BBs) affects metabolism? Also, now that I have a ICD/pacemaker which keeps my HR over 60, does that help increase metabolism? Meanwhile, my BBs have been doubled.

I only had my ICD implant 3 1/2 weeks ago, so I am slowly trying to get back to exercising. I have been walking or riding a stationary recumbent bike a few days a week, and I notice that my heart rate now rarely even reaches 100. All of those machines at the gym say your target HR is much higher, but I know that I have to adjust my expectations.

Any comments?

I have a whole closet full of clothes just begging to be worn again!

[Dolly W]

C,

I'm not sure if BB's have anything to do with metabolism, but I know that they can make you tired, which may prevent you from exercising. I was taking 640mg of Inderal/day (about 2 years ago) and lost 25# following the Weight Watchers plan.

I'm now on Atenolol 200mg/day, and have lost 40# since October without exercising. I just saw my cardio today, and she said it would be ok for me to start a low impact walking program.

Best wishes!

D

[Sarah]

Hi,

It is more important that your heart rate stay within limits --those targets at the gym are for non-HCMers, so ignore them.

Talk to your doctor about what your max heart rate can be --your pacer is programmed specifically too. You should know what those tolerances are.

A lot of HCMers find a low-carb diet helpful. I haven't found any correlation between my bb dose and my weight. It mostly correlates to how many girl scout cookies I eat. :lol:

S

[mtlieb]

Yikes!

I've gained 15 pounds in just under a month since starting on my beta blockers, and i'm not eating any more than i ever did. I don't think it's just due to my being out of work either. I haven't worked steady in the field since having my hernia surgery in November, yet i had quite a sharp increase within a week of starting my Toprol-XL. I have to admit it is also much more noticeable than previous weight-gains. I look puffy! LOL

If you folks find the secret, be sure to let me know!

Jim

[Glen Beamish]

I have been taking beta blockers for over 30 years and have always battled the bulge, but I think it was more to do with my affection for food than the beta blockers, I would love to blame them, but I don't think I can.
I have lost 30 pounds (10 pounds from my goal) over the last year by using weight watchers and riding my bikes. So if you eat correctly and do some exercise if you are able and don't have any other health problem that can affect weight, you should be able maintain your weight.
Also don't go by the heart rates at the Gym, if you take beta blockers you will not be able to get your rate up as high as if you didn't take them.
When I ride I rarely manage to get my rate much over a 100.

[sheryl]

HI Everybody!!! I just learned of this website as I am completely ignorant to HCM. My family doctor discovered a murmur about 2-3 yrs ago & I had an Echo at that time. About 6 months ago, I was seen again & was sent for another Echo. Since that time, I have been seeing a Cardiologist in Columbia, SC. I was diagnosed with 'HCM with obstruction' & was started on Toprol XL. The med has improved the palpations but I still feel dizzy when I lean foward & stand back up. Is this normal? I am also so tired all the time. Sorry all of this is new to me. Also, I have a brother & sister. What is the best method of determining if they have HCM?

[Sarah]

Dear Sheryl,

If your parents are living, they need to be screened as well.

FIRST, anyone in your family who doesn't have health, life, or DISABILITY should run out and buy a bunch of it. Then, they can go to the doctor and get an echocardiogram --which is not included in a standard physical. However, an echocardiogram is the test that will diagnose HCM or not.

Please read the rest of this site for a boatload of info on HCM (not the board, but the site). Then you should call Lisa, at 973-983-7429 and talk to her about seeing a specialist. HCM is different in everyone and you need to see a specialist in order to suss out any particularities to your version that need more than a tablet a day to address.

Toprol makes you tired and HCM makes you tired, too. Try taking your medication before bed. Don't get up quickly or move quickly and see if that cuts down on the dizziness. Especially in the morning from out of bed or if you have been in one place for a long time. It is normal to get wonky when you change positions too fast (eg normally for most).

Glad you found us!

S

[Reenie]

Welcome Sheryl. :)

[Lisa Salberg]

Sheryl,
Welcome to the club you never wanted to join :D
Do not feel bad about not understanding HCM that well...most people take several months even years to fully understand the condition (some never get there).
We hope the site offers you information that helps you better understand the condition and the message board allows you the ability to ask questions about things you do not fully understand.
Best wishes,
Lisa Salberg

[TammyC]

Hi Cynaburt
I heard that taking beta blockers can possible make you gain weight becuase you may become more tired but if you eat properly and exercise you should be fine. Plus your body just needs to get used to it. You just need to be a little more careful!
I started Jenny Craig last August and have lost 32 pounds. I also joined a gym. I thought that by losing the weight and exercising that maybe my heart would "get better". No Luck! Oh well!

[Reenie]

Tammy, be careful about lifting weights. It is very hard on your heart and probably shouldn't be done at all, unless it's like 5 lb weights for toning.

Reenie

[Cynaburst]

Hi Tammy,

Thanks for the encouragement. I have had quite a last year which all contributed to my weight gain....I had a baby 17 mos. ago, a couple of months later I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor, had 2 brain surgeries, and then, for some reason, I was really depressed (I don't know why!) Then, I took Paxil for 6 months, the end of which, I looked like this :big_elep:

I sort of accepted my fate for awhile, and wore lots of sweats because that was all I fit in, and 6 weeks ago, I got an ICD implanted after having some bad arrythmias for the last few months...so now, I figure I am like new :big_mega: :big_fuzzy

So, I have been on a diet for about a month, and have been slowly getting back to the gym. The last time I lost a lot of weight, I lifted weights, but as Reenie says, not a great idea with HCM, so I am really building on the cardio at a reasonable level. I can't get my HR above 105 or so because of the beta blockers, which is convenient because that's what my doctor advised me. I also got a HR monitor and I have been doing the recumbent bike or elliptical trainer a few times a week. Now that it is daylight savings time, I am vowing to take my son on an hour long walk before we eat dinner every night.

If I can lose as much as you, I would be so stoked! But I would settle for 20 more lbs...I have lost about 7 so far.....

Take care,

Cynthia

[Reenie]

I have lost about 7 so far.....



Way to go!! :big_tulip

[TammyC]

Hi Cynaburst
Your funny. It's seem you've really had a rough time. Wow, I hope you feel better now. Since you've already lost 7, you're doing great. Keep it up and you'll feel even better :onfire:

[Reenie]

This is Cynaburst:
http://chandraswebpages.tripod.com/gif/skipropesmi.gif

[TammyC]

Hi Reenie
I asked my doctor if it was ok to lift weights and she said it was fine as long as I didn't lift them over my head :big_barb:
I'm really confused :big_poin: [/img]

[Cynaburst]

Actually Reenie, I was at the gym while you posted that! I actually think that your picture showed what I looked like before I was feeling the symptoms of HCM! This is how I would feel now after I did all that jumping rope! :big_sick

I will say, however, that I definitely notice a big improvement in HCM symptoms now after my increase in atenolol with my pacer...the angina and shortness of breath is much better.

When I can fit in my jeans again I will be throwing a big party!

:big_party