22 lbs down! (with pics)

Do you use any sort of beta blocker or calcium channel blocker? If so, how does that affect your heart rate when you're working out? I used to take a BB but this summer switched to a CCB and both keep my heart rate artificially low so I can't really use the automatic HRMs to tell me when I'm in the fat burning zone.

At cardiac rehab, they taught us RPE (You can learn more about RPE on the Cleveland Clinic site - world leading facility for heart care) http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/prevention/exercise/rpe.aspx

If you use RPE how are you finding that working as far as your intensity and staying in the fat burning zone?

Sorry for all the questions - I've been looking for other people with genetic heart conditions for weeks and I think you're the first one I've seen! Great job on your success so far BTW!

No worries about all the questions! As weird as this sounds, I am really happy to find people who are battling cardiac conditions as well (not that I'm glad you or I have it just that it's nice to not feel so alone).

I am on 100mg Toprolol XL (two 50mg extended release tablets per day). My resting HR is very low (60-65 bpm) from the beta blockers. My blood pressure is lower than normal too (average resting BP is 100/60). For workouts, I have to take at least 10 minutes to slowly ease my heart up to 120 or so and visa versa on cooldown, otherwise, it does tend to get a little irregular and really uncomfortable for me. I also drink a LOT of water (32 oz within about an hour) before working out to get my blood pressure up enough.

I prefer the RPE system over the "fat burning" vs "cardio" zone. Most of what I'm doing for cardio lately has been HIIT (high impact interval training). After warmups, I do 30 seconds running as fast and hard as my legs will go pushing as hard as I can (9 on RPE scale). My HR usually shoots up to 170 by the end. For me, this is as high as my cardiologist wants me to go so I try to keep an eye on it. Then, I slow down to a 3.0 mph walk for 90 seconds (3 on RPE scale). Repeat as many times as I possibly can. I can only keep this up 20 minutes max before exhaustion sets in. When I started a couple weeks ago, I could only do 10 minutes. There are some days where my MVR acts up, and I get a really sharp pain after the first 3-4 cycles and I have to immediately do a cooldown and quit. My cardiologist has been keeping track of me during this and is helping coordinate with my trainer so I avoid any discomfort. The benefit of the HIIT for me is that my cardio endurance has dramatically improved. It also burns a ton of calories.

My suggestion would be if you are just getting started to talk to your doctor first. Make sure you get medical clearance to do anything beyond just walking. That being said, you should be able to get into low impact cardio (walking or light elliptical work) without a problem. Just give yourself a while to warm your heart up. Listen to your body and slow down or stop when you feel pain or dizziness. Use the RPE system as a guide and keep yourself at 2-3 max to begin, but make sure you take time to setup a program with your doctor.

The best thing to do is remember that you CAN do this and take time to listen to your doctor. If your doctor won't work with you, find one who will.

Feel free to add me as a friend or ask me anything you want. I'd love to help support you in your journey! Good luck!