Too Low Pulse Rate???

[[old] Normsthename]

I have now been using the rower for 8 weeks, and also a treadmill for the last week.<br />I train 5 days a week for approx. 30-40 mins every session.<br />When I first started out I was really unfit...... now I am a little bit fitter, and feel loads better for it and I have also lost 14lbs to date (Started at 202lb)...<br />Now onto my question, I have been taking a tablet (Once a day) for high blood pressure for about 15 years, and when I first started exercising my resting pulse rate was 62, now 8 weeks later it has now dropped to a resting rate of 41....<br />My blood pressure is fine, but I just wonder if the resting pulse rate is too slow.<br />Perhaps I need to see the Doctor about reducing my medication???<br />Is there anyone on the forum on BP medication who has had a similar 'problem'?<br /><br />Thanks in advance.<br /><br />Andy<br />

[[old] afolpe]

Do you know the name of the medicine you are taking?<br /><br />Andrew

[[old] jamesg]

Let's hope getting and staying fit (i.e. back to normal) can help control BP too. That Rest HR drops when we do is seen by all of us, and many on the forum cite 40-50. Mine's 55-60, age 65, BP 80-130/140 and I take no medication of any type.<br /><br />Your RHR looks a bit low after so short an exercise period, so maybe what you're using to depress BP also causes HR drop. Did you ask your doc before writing here? Experiments are interesting, but by definition the results are not always as we expect.

[[old] Normsthename]

<!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Do you know the name of the medicine you are taking? </td></tr></table><br />This is what I am taking, 125mg once a day :-<br /><span style='color:blue'><b>Tenoretic</b><br />This medicine contains two active ingredients, atenolol and chlortalidone (previously spelt chlorthalidone in the UK).<br />Atenolol belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers, which block beta receptors in the heart, lungs and other organs of the body. Blocking these receptors prevents the action of two chemicals called noradrenaline and adrenaline that occur naturally in the body. These are often referred to as the 'fight or flight' chemicals as they are responsible for the body's reaction to stressful situations.<br />Blocking the beta receptors in the heart causes the heart to beat more slowly and with less force. This reduces the pressure at which blood is pumped out of the heart to the rest of the body. This is just one of the ways in which beta blockers help to reduce blood pressure, however the whole mechanism is not fully understood.<br />Chlortalidone is a type of medicine called a thiazide diuretic. Thiazide diuretics act in the kidney to remove water from the blood into the urine, by causing an increase in the removal of salts such as potassium and sodium from the blood. This removal of salts causes water to be drawn out of the blood and into the kidneys, where it is then excreted in the urine.<br />Removing water from the blood decreases the volume of fluid circulating through the blood vessels. The drop in fluid volume results in a drop in the pressure of the fluid within the blood vessels, which helps to lower high blood pressure. It also decreases the effort required by the heart to pump blood around the body.<br />The combination of these two medicines is particularly useful in treating high blood pressure.<br /></span><br /><!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Your RHR looks a bit low after so short an exercise period </td></tr></table><br />Thats what I thought, but I was very unfit when I started, I could only do 15 minutes maximum on the rower when I first started <br />My average blood pressure is 130/85, not perfect but a lot lower than when I started, at its highest it was 146/104 <br /><!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Did you ask your doc before writing here? </td></tr></table><br />He recommended that I got fitter, and so I bought the rower.<br />I don't like bothering them with something trivial unless its important.......<br /><br />Andy<br />

[[old] Andrew Burrows]

I have a RHR of 35 - probably lower as that was taken at 6pm just before an erging session and after only a few minutes of sitting still. I wouldnt worry about a low RHR but there is no harm in checking with your doctor, Im sure they wont mind.

[[old] NightRower]

Beta blockers will decrease your heart rate as the description of the med you posted said. If you are not bothered by the low HR, and your BP is stable (not bothered, ie no dizziness, no faintness, no "feeling like passing out" when you stand, and your ability to exercise is not being limited by the heart rate, you are most likely OK. If you are concerned, ask your MD. Your concerns are always valid and should not be viewed as bothering your doctor. <br /><br />The other medication component is a diuretic so should not have a bearing on your resting HR. <br /><br />Darren

[[old] Normsthename]

<!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I have a RHR of 35 </td></tr></table><br />My fitness level is slightly lower than yours!<br />Your 2K time of 6:33 is a little bit better than my 9:32........ <br /><!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Beta blockers will decrease your heart rate as the description of the med you posted said. If you are not bothered by the low HR, and your BP is stable (not bothered, ie no dizziness, no faintness, no "feeling like passing out" when you stand, and your ability to exercise is not being limited by the heart rate, you are most likely OK. If you are concerned, ask your MD. Your concerns are always valid and should not be viewed as bothering your doctor.<br /><br />The other medication component is a diuretic so should not have a bearing on your resting HR. </td></tr></table><br />Thanks, my pulse has always been lower because of the Beta blocker, but a drop from 62 to 41 in 9 weeks was a little too much I thought.....<br />Apart from that I feel absolutely fine, but thought my medication might need adjusting, so I think I will go to see the doctor in a week or so, after I have monitored it a little bit longer.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Andy<br />

[[old] afolpe]

Beta blockers will lower your resting HR and also block the normal increase in HR that you get with exercise. Since you are feeling fine, there is probably nothing to be alarmed about here, but it does seem strange for you to have such a dramatic decrease in resting HR so soon after beginning exercise. My concern here is that you have an acquired form of what is known as "heart block", where the conduction system of your heart is not working properly. Beta-blockers can exacerbate this, particularly if you are getting chronically dehydrated from the combination of exercise and the diuretic. You might consider talking to your physician about getting an EKG done, just to be on the safe side. There are also other antihypertensives that may be better for an exercising person, such as ACE inhibitors. Again, you should discuss all of this with your physician.<br /><br />Andrew

[[old] Normsthename]

<!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Beta blockers will lower your resting HR and also block the normal increase in HR that you get with exercise. Since you are feeling fine, there is probably nothing to be alarmed about here, but it does seem strange for you to have such a dramatic decrease in resting HR so soon after beginning exercise. My concern here is that you have an acquired form of what is known as "heart block", where the conduction system of your heart is not working properly. Beta-blockers can exacerbate this, particularly if you are getting chronically dehydrated from the combination of exercise and the diuretic. You might consider talking to your physician about getting an EKG done, just to be on the safe side. There are also other antihypertensives that may be better for an exercising person, such as ACE inhibitors. Again, you should discuss all of this with your physician.<br /><br />Andrew<br /> </td></tr></table><br />Thanks Andrew, I will see my GP to see if there is anything that needs to be done.<br /><br />Andy<br />

[[old] zim32805]

<!--QuoteBegin-Normsthename+Oct 13 2005, 04:46 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Normsthename @ Oct 13 2005, 04:46 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Do you know the name of the medicine you are taking? </td></tr></table><br />This is what I am taking, 125mg once a day :-<br /><span style='color:blue'><b>Tenoretic</b><br />This medicine contains two active ingredients, atenolol and chlortalidone (previously spelt chlorthalidone in the UK).<br />Atenolol belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers, which block beta receptors in the heart, lungs and other organs of the body. Blocking these receptors prevents the action of two chemicals called noradrenaline and adrenaline that occur naturally in the body. These are often referred to as the 'fight or flight' chemicals as they are responsible for the body's reaction to stressful situations.<br />Blocking the beta receptors in the heart causes the heart to beat more slowly and with less force. This reduces the pressure at which blood is pumped out of the heart to the rest of the body. This is just one of the ways in which beta blockers help to reduce blood pressure, however the whole mechanism is not fully understood.<br />Chlortalidone is a type of medicine called a thiazide diuretic. Thiazide diuretics act in the kidney to remove water from the blood into the urine, by causing an increase in the removal of salts such as potassium and sodium from the blood. This removal of salts causes water to be drawn out of the blood and into the kidneys, where it is then excreted in the urine.<br />Removing water from the blood decreases the volume of fluid circulating through the blood vessels. The drop in fluid volume results in a drop in the pressure of the fluid within the blood vessels, which helps to lower high blood pressure. It also decreases the effort required by the heart to pump blood around the body.<br />The combination of these two medicines is particularly useful in treating high blood pressure.<br /></span><br /><!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Your RHR looks a bit low after so short an exercise period </td></tr></table><br />Thats what I thought, but I was very unfit when I started, I could only do 15 minutes maximum on the rower when I first started <br />My average blood pressure is 130/85, not perfect but a lot lower than when I started, at its highest it was 146/104 <br /><!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Did you ask your doc before writing here? </td></tr></table><br />He recommended that I got fitter, and so I bought the rower.<br />I don't like bothering them with something trivial unless its important.......<br /><br />Andy <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />The doc is in business to deal with trivial things such as cardiovascular issues and blood pressure issues. Best to discuss what you're doing with him and see about changing dosage or meds as your baseline becomes more fit. Don't ignore the condition and stay in touch with your doc. You can't undo a cva once it happens so prevention and education is your best ally. Best of luck.

[[old] grams]

I'm was about to up my bp medicine based on my bp on non-erging days. I found a website that may help explain why ergers have lower bp numbers. <br /><br />Go to <a href='http://www.afpafitness.com/articles/Pressurelink.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.afpafitness.com/articles/Pressurelink.htm</a> <br /><br />grams