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Side effects of beta blockers
I had a heart attack and quad bypass 18 years ago, and recovered completely. 5 weeks ago I had a mild heart attack and received a stent in the one veinous graft (the 3 arterial grafts were perfectly clear). I have been placed on plavix and 6.25mg 2x/day of carvedilol - and the side effects of carvedilol is my concern.
First is the feeling of lightheadedness, which was severe at first, but still remains. More troubling is that I just began a cardiac rehab program, and did a treadmill workout at a speed/incline/duration (30 minutes) that I have been doing for years - so I know what my response should be. Normally, my heart rate would be around 130-135, and the coreg (presumably) kept it down around 115-120. I felt fine, and was encouraged - but afterwards, I felt extremely fatigued for the rest of the day, and had a great deal of soreness in my legs. This never happens - in the past, even if I didn't exercise for a month, this type of aerobic workout would not cause recovery problems, and never leg pain. OTOH, this type of recovery problem has been very common for me over the last 5 years when doing ANAEROBIC exercise, such as windsurfing. So I am guessing that the coreg transformed what would normally be an aerobic workout into an anaerobic one.
My concern is that this situation will persist, and levels of exercise that used to be easy to recover from will result in so much fatigue and pain that they will no longer be worth doing. SO my FIRST QUESTION is: Is this type of recovery problem to be expected as a side effect of coreg, and can I expect this side effect to decrease over time or not?
A few days ago my cardiologist said test showed I incurred no damage during the recent attack. In view of this, my SECOND QUESTION is: If I am in no worse shape than before the latest "attack", why do I need a beta blocker?
First is the feeling of lightheadedness, which was severe at first, but still remains. More troubling is that I just began a cardiac rehab program, and did a treadmill workout at a speed/incline/duration (30 minutes) that I have been doing for years - so I know what my response should be. Normally, my heart rate would be around 130-135, and the coreg (presumably) kept it down around 115-120. I felt fine, and was encouraged - but afterwards, I felt extremely fatigued for the rest of the day, and had a great deal of soreness in my legs. This never happens - in the past, even if I didn't exercise for a month, this type of aerobic workout would not cause recovery problems, and never leg pain. OTOH, this type of recovery problem has been very common for me over the last 5 years when doing ANAEROBIC exercise, such as windsurfing. So I am guessing that the coreg transformed what would normally be an aerobic workout into an anaerobic one.
My concern is that this situation will persist, and levels of exercise that used to be easy to recover from will result in so much fatigue and pain that they will no longer be worth doing. SO my FIRST QUESTION is: Is this type of recovery problem to be expected as a side effect of coreg, and can I expect this side effect to decrease over time or not?
A few days ago my cardiologist said test showed I incurred no damage during the recent attack. In view of this, my SECOND QUESTION is: If I am in no worse shape than before the latest "attack", why do I need a beta blocker?
Ask your doctor about switching from carvedilol to Bystolic. I was on metoprolol (another BB) for 5 years and experienced exactly the same symptoms as you with regard to leg pain and exhaustion. I am a former competitive cyclist. Carvedilol is a non-specific BB, acting strongly on both beta-1 and beta-2 receptors, and also acting on the alpha-1 receptor. Most of the benefits of BB's come from their beta-1 selectivity, and most of the side effects are due to the beta-2 selectivity. Bystolic is the most highly beta-1 specific BB, at daily doses of 5 mg and less. After I switched to Bystolic, within 2 weeks the symptoms you describe went away and I have regained a considerable amount of my aerobic capacity. I'm also not tired all the time any more. It's worth asking.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The beta blocker is there to prevent any further heart attacks. It will tend to decrease your heart rate with exertion, which usually means that you will not be able exercise as vigorously as before. In time, you may adapt to this decreased maximal heart rate and adjust your increase capacity. The leg stiffness may be because of some deconditioning, and probably is not related to the beta blocker, unless you have peripheral arterial disease. If you have leg cramps while walking or running then arterial brachial indices should be obtained to screen you for PAD.
Hi,
I'm not the doctor but I know exactly what you mean regarding the side effects from Coreg. I was put on it for a little over a year due to an aneurysm in my ascending aorta and the cardio wants my blood pressure kept very low.
Like you, I am still lightheaded/off balance on occasion. I walk on a daily basis and even a brisk pace fails to get my heart rate out of the 70s. (Of course with the aneurysm I'm not supposed to get my heart rate very high.) I also feel a tremendous fatigue after I've done my walking. I get done and immediately want to sleep! This just doesn't seem right. I also feel that I've slowed down mentally and this really bothers me.
I asked the cardio last summer about getting off Coreg but she strongly encouraged me to stay on it because of my aneurysm. I guess it makes sense that if it messes with your metabolism by slowing your heart rate and lowering your BP you're going to feel more fatigued - but I don't like it.
Just my personal experience. I'll be interested to read what the doctor says.
Best of luck to you!
I'm not the doctor but I know exactly what you mean regarding the side effects from Coreg. I was put on it for a little over a year due to an aneurysm in my ascending aorta and the cardio wants my blood pressure kept very low.
Like you, I am still lightheaded/off balance on occasion. I walk on a daily basis and even a brisk pace fails to get my heart rate out of the 70s. (Of course with the aneurysm I'm not supposed to get my heart rate very high.) I also feel a tremendous fatigue after I've done my walking. I get done and immediately want to sleep! This just doesn't seem right. I also feel that I've slowed down mentally and this really bothers me.
I asked the cardio last summer about getting off Coreg but she strongly encouraged me to stay on it because of my aneurysm. I guess it makes sense that if it messes with your metabolism by slowing your heart rate and lowering your BP you're going to feel more fatigued - but I don't like it.
Just my personal experience. I'll be interested to read what the doctor says.
Best of luck to you!
Sorry, please ignore my previous posting.
Bruce, is that you?
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