beta blockers and exercise heart rate

schpanks

I'm taking a beta blocker for my blood pressure. When I worked out Monday, I had been off my medication for a few days and my exercise heart rate was maxing at 170. Today I worked out as hard but my heart rate never even reached 120 because of my medication. I was still dripping sweat and feeling like I was going to die but with no heart rate to show for it. Am I really not burning any calories if my heart rate doesn't respond?

DiabeticAlien

I honestly can't say. I'm on several b/p meds (5) alpha blocker, beta blocker, calcium channel blocker, diuretic......so I don't know how or IF they affect my work out heart rate. However, my pulse rarely goes above 140 while working out. My resting rate is about 65 so that's more than double my resting rate.

angeljamin

I'm not a doctor or scientist, but yes you are still burning. We measure our heart rate, because it is a good indicator as to how hard our body is working, but with medication it is no longer a proper measure as it is controlled.