CRT-do docs eventually reduce beta blockers

7 months In I  still get exhausted after exercise.  My EF has improved to 65% and my cardio sort of hinted that we might be able to reduce meds in my 12 month check up.  Does that happen?  I  can excerise moderately but then pay with three days or more of exhaustion.  If I just walk slowly and do some easy stuff I’m OK, but even after weeks don’t feel any increased capacity.  I feel good enough that I want my old life back but I’m scared I’ll never really get there.  I’m 63.

4 Comments

Cardiac rehab.

by Renny - 2018-07-01 02:37:49

Thanks.  That’s relevant to me.  I do think I’m my own issue..  I'm lucky enough to have access to a heart failure clinic.  Basically the same thing just with a failure rather than attack focus.  It's this that keeps exhausting me!  Maybe I’m overdoing it.  Need to slow myself down?

Hi

by Bionic Beat - 2018-07-01 09:51:45

Sometimes the heart drugs are the major cause of the fatigue. 

An EF of 65% is normal.  Depending on why you are on the drugs, its a good possibility they can be discontinued  *under medical supervision*.   Good luck and well done!

 

Best Wishes,

 

Bionic Beat

Fatigue

by AgentX86 - 2018-07-01 18:41:30

Yes, drugs can certainly cause your symptoms, particularly beta blockers and calcium channel blockers.  Do ask if you can stop taking them or, at least, try a different one.   There are many and the side effects are very different for different people.

As others have said an EF or 65% is perfectly normal, same as mine.  I have a CRT pacemaker, not because of a low EF, rather because I don't want to go there.  ;-)  Because of your great EF, you shouldn't have much trouble with exercise.  Obviously you do, so it's something to bang your EP over the head with ("I want this fixed!").  It's not your age (I'll be 66 real soon now).

The suggestion of cardiac rehab is a good one too, though I think your progress may be hampered until you can get your medications straightened out.  I did 12 weeks, three days a week, of cardiac rehab after my CABG in late '14.  It was an awesome experience.  It taught me that I could really do this exercise stuff.  After 3-1/2 years, I now walk 100-110 miles a week (about half that on a treadmill, watching NetFlix), so exercise is possible for us 65%ers.  ;-)

Meds and exercise

by Renny - 2018-07-01 22:13:17

Thanks peoples,

 have a GP appointment this week and she talks to my cardio.  Also have heart failure clinic tomorrow.  Endocrinologist today.  Luckily they all talk to each other, so I’ll raise meds.  I thought I might have gone in too hard at the clinic so I’ll ask the EP to reduce a few things.  

Nice to know others are doing well.  Also will talk about how my rate is set. It doesn’t seem to increase much at all.  Only up to about 68.  Set on 60.

i've learned a lot on this site I haven’t got from anywhere else. Ta.

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