Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a silent killer. Nearly half of Americans have it according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many people don’t know it, as there are no obvious symptoms until a stroke or heart attack occurs.

Beta-adrenergic blocking drugs, also known as beta-adrenergic blockers, are commonly prescribed medications to lower blood pressure and prevent heart disease. Although exercise can help lower blood pressure, it can also make it more dangerous. This guide will show hypertension patients how to safely combine beta blockers and exercise.

What is the relationship between beta blockers and exercise?

Beta blockers prevent the hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine from affecting their effects. Beta blockers slow down the heartbeat, causing it to beat more forcefully, which reduces blood pressure. They open veins and arteries to increase blood flow.

There are many types of beta-blockers. Some primarily affect the heart while others have an impact on both the heart as well as the blood vessels. Your healthcare provider and you will work together to find the best beta blockers and exercise for you. Some examples of oral beta-blockers are:

Beta blockers can have side effects

They may not be as effective for older adults and Black people, particularly if they aren’t combined with other Peeled Garlic blood pressure medications. Some beta blockers may trigger severe asthma attacks in people suffering from severe asthma. They can also mask low blood sugar symptoms in diabetics.

Beta blockers can cause the following side effects:

Cold feet or hands
Fatigue
Weight loss

Do beta blockers and exercise affect?

Beta blockers and exercise can be used to lower blood pressure. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you exercise more if your blood pressure is high. If you are taking medication, is it safe to exercise? Beta blockers can cause blood pressure to drop and may slow down your heart rate and cardiac output (how much blood is pumped in a minute). This could impact your ability to exercise.

Joanna Lewis, Pharm.D. is the founder of The Pharmacist’s Guide. Many studies have shown that people can still exercise as normal. However, it all depends on how fit the person is.

A stress test may be recommended by your healthcare provider. This tests the heart’s blood flow and measures the intensity of beta blocker use. This information can be used to determine your target heart rate.