Beta Blockers and excercise - Heart Disorders Message Board

Punchy · 12-19-2003, 07:22 AM

I am sure some of you are familiar with me by now. I am a 28 year old male who has panic attacks, slightly high BP, some protein in my urine and an overly sensitive nervous system. My doctor prescribed me two things lately. Zoloft, for anxiety and possibly a mild case of depression (go figure with all of this stuff to worry about

and Inderal. I have been taking the Inderal for quite a while, but haven't taken the Zoloft because of something I read on the web about possible interactions (even though doc and the pharmacist said not to worry). Anyhow, I am worried that the Inderal is going to cause my heart to stop, or explode, during excercise. I love to play sports, but have cut myself of since starting the Inderal because of the fear.

As you will notice in a lower post below, I have also started experiencing a rather large flopping beat that leaves me breathless for a second or so. I am just not sure what to do. I should probably just take the Zoloft and the Inderal and do what comes naturally. I am a Christian, who for some reason fears death (a little), so that is weighing in as well. So many little things that add up to one big thing. NOT BEING ABLE TO ENJOY MY LIFE AND MY MARRIAGE!

I guess I am turning this into the psych's office. Sorry. Just want feedback on a few things all at once. With the Inderal, should I just excercise normally and expect a reduction in endurance? SHould I just suck it up and take the Zoloft and the Inderal together? Should I seek a second opinion on the protein in the urine? THank you in advance.

CobaltBlue · 12-19-2003, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Punchy

Anyhow, I am worried that the Inderal is going to cause my heart to stop, or explode, during excercise. I love to play sports, but have cut myself of since starting the Inderal because of the fear.

As you will notice in a lower post below, I have also started experiencing a rather large flopping beat that leaves me breathless for a second or so. I am just not sure what to do. I should probably just take the Zoloft and the Inderal and do what comes naturally. I am a Christian, who for some reason fears death (a little), so that is weighing in as well. So many little things that add up to one big thing. NOT BEING ABLE TO ENJOY MY LIFE AND MY MARRIAGE!

I guess I am turning this into the psych's office. Sorry. Just want feedback on a few things all at once. With the Inderal, should I just excercise normally and expect a reduction in endurance? SHould I just suck it up and take the Zoloft and the Inderal together? Should I seek a second opinion on the protein in the urine? THank you in advance.

Punchy,

Many people mentioned in your other thread that beta-blockers protect your heart rather than result in it stopping, or worse. Yes, exercise normally as you always did. Its not so much endurance that will be affected as your maximum output. Someone else described how beta-blockers work, but basically, the harder that you exercise, the greater the attenuation effect on your heart rate. That doesn't mean your HR will stay constant, it will increase gradually, just not to the same high levels it will be in someone without beta-blockers. Additionally, beta-blockers helped decrease some of the anxiety that I used to experience.

In your place I would take the beta-blockers (at least for now) to help with the palpitations, or PVCs that you are probably experiencing. In time, you may not need it?