After getting an angioplasty and stent and starting to take a host of meds, including beta blockers and ace inhibitors last November, I resumed exercising in January. As I reported in the running and cycling section, I was wondering why I couldn't maintain an exercise heart rate of 75 - 85% of my THR without gasping for air. As goergen1 suggested, my beta blockers have a lot to do with this. Here is a great followup article by Australian Air Force doctors on the subject . Essentially, the THR and target heart rates for folks like me on beta blockers are useless and alternatives should be developed. My cardiologist did not bring this to my attention, but trainers should be aware of this.
I will post a followup when I graduate from beta blockers later this year.
I will post a followup when I graduate from beta blockers later this year.