Was recently put on atenolol for high bp. Ever since I've noticed I dont seem to have the running stamina i used to have.

I googled this & found several people found that beta blockers hurt their running ability.

Is there any truth to this? Of course I'm going to bring it up to my dr, but wanted to consult the experts here first.

I, too, have been put on a beta-blocker. I've been on for a little over a month and have had the same concern you're bringing up. I did notice when I first started to take them that my first few runs were "off".

After those first few "off" runs, I was beginning the road back to longer distances. Of course, I've had to hang up the shoes for a while since I've been a little injury prone lately and on the sidelines.

It will be at least another month before I can really see what effect they have on long runs of 20 miles or more.

Just found THIS.

I'm currently taking propranolol.

quote:

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High Blood Pressure

Elevated blood pressure is a common problem, even in athletes. Many classes of medications may be used to treat hypertension. Diuretics (water pills) aren't recommended for runners because of problems with dehydration and electrolyte deficits. Beta blockers -- the generic name for these end in "olol," such as propranolol -- also decrease performance. This class of medications decreases heart rate, resulting in decreased cardiac output and VO2 max. Some beta blockers are more selective than others and have less impact on performance.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and their cousin Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) tend to be well tolerated by endurance athletes. Many runners tolerate calcium channel blockers well. Your health care provider may select a specific class of medications based on your medical history and concomitant problems. Unfortunately, the best medication to treat you may harm your performance.

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damn. i've got another cardio apt on friday so ill bring it up. curious to hear what he thinks about it since the atenelol is otherwise working without side effects.

You've got sort of two components to your nervous system that run parallel to each other known as the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. AKA the "fight or flight" and the "rest & digest" nervous systems, respectively.

The sympathetic nervous system is what is highly active when you're getting chased by a lion that's trying to eat you, your bronchioles expand, your blood vessels contract (increase BP), blood gets sent to the muscles you need to run away, and your heart gets increased stimulus to pump harder and at a higher rate. Your heart has Beta1 receptors and your lungs have Beta2 receptors. When you take beta blockers, you decrease the activation of those two receptors that initiate the sympathetic response --> thus leading to less forceful heart contractions and a more constricted airway (depending on if the medication is specific to just beta1 or not).

So, that's the science behind it, more or less.

Edit: Looks like atenolol is a selective beta1 receptor blocker -> so it's not directly affecting your lungs.

[This message has been edited by bigtruckguy3500 (edited 1/30/2012 3:59p).]

I've been on a beta-blocker (Bystolic) for over a year now as treatment for cardiomyopathy caused from my chemotherapy treatments. Unfortunately, the condition of my heart deteriorates even further without it, so this is a most likely a lifetime drug for me. I've gotten off it once before, and had serious issues with my heart rate being thru the roof from even just walking...bottom line, without it, my heart rate sky rockets, with it, I've been able to do my first triathlon, first half marathon and am training for my first half IM. Granted, I am not a fast runner, never have been, never will be, but I'm by far running better then I ever have and my cardiologist is extremely happy with my the condition of my heart.

I am very curious how a doctor chooses a BP medication. Why a beta blocker vs. an ACE inhibitor or calcium channel blocker?

I have very high BP untreated. I have been taking Lotrel (generic actually) for 7 years now and it is a combo drug - both an ACE inhibitor and calcium channel blocker. Both of these are known to not impair exercise. I swim 4 times a week, and swim hard. I am 53 and have not noticed any impact on my aerobic ability from my medication.

I would ask your doctor - why this medication instead of something else?

Beta blockers have the most evidence showing they actually extend life and prevent heart attacks.

Exercise intolerance and impotence are the two primary reasons beta blockers are stopped. Your complaints are consitent with significant adverse effects to consider a change in medication. Due to the beta blockade your heart cannot rate & contractility to increase cardiac output thus resulting in fatigue and feeling out of breath (dypnea)--

Cardiac output= Stroke volume x heart rate

Beta block= decreased heart rate dramatically and slightly decreased stroke volumes under stress. This is good if you have heart disease but bad for exercise.

I got diagnosed a diuretic called HCTZ (Hydrochlorothiazide) today by the doctor. She assured me it would have little affect on my running. What should I be watching for? As long as I stay hydrated, am I good?

I was on a beta blocker (eye drops). The Dr didn't think that it would affect anything, however, my max heart rate was noticeably lower than without the drop. Therefore, I am using another drop instead of the beta blocker. I later talked with another Dr and he said that it definitely can affect your heart rate even though it's just an eye drop. He said it was a question on the boards to trick people.

I asked my dr about it & he said that it's not uncommon for athletes or runners. Have an appointment for Thursday to discuss alternate medication.

I just have no ability to recover while running. As soon as I start to feel fatigued it quickly goes downhill. Instead of second wind, my body tells me its time to stop. Really frustrating.

that's exactly how I felt, AP. I hope to learn something from your dr appt.

I'm glad you started this thread.

Careerchange:

Yes the way HCTZ works is it forces your renal tubules to squirt out more water. This is a problem if you are exercising and sweating excessively as your kidneys will not be able to retain water like they want to when you start getting dehydrated. Thus you must make significant effort to stay hydrated particularly in the heat.

In addition you should likely be on some kind of potassium supplement since the medicine also makes it so your kidneys excrete more potassium. If you get too much they can get rid of it, but if you are running low they can't retain it.

I was just talking to one of my workout partners and he mentioned beta blockers. He is a cyclist and said that when he started taking them that a heart rate of ~155 all of the sudden felt the same as what a ~190 used to feel like. He said it took him a while to get used to performing at that heart rate.

Nothing scientific to share, but he's stayed on them and is pretty darn fit.

Well I asked the doc about the atenelol. Said that it's not an uncommon complaint as it lowers heart rate yada yada.

Was on 50mg of atenelol & 5mg of lisinopril.

Dr agreed to lower atenelol to 5mg and raise lisinipril to 15mg.

I asked why two separate medications, especially since I already have a low heart rate. Dr said good point APNess.

Now on 0 atenelol and 20mg of lisinipril.

2 runs since & I've felt much much better.