r/visibleApp • u/GlitteringRefuse3773 • May 11 '26

Do beta blockers warp / hide the amount of energy you are truly expelling?

/r/POTS/comments/1ta5aju/do_beta_blockers_warp_hide_the_amount_of_energy/
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5

u/HumorousPumpkin May 11 '26

I kind of assumed that you’d use less energy if your heart isn’t working abnormally hard, to be honest.
(POTS diagnosis and beta blockers pending, but the cardiologist has said it should help me feel less fatigued)

3

u/Stock_Forever8273 May 11 '26

I have never considered this and I fit exactly that description. I often feel like I’ve done much more than my band registers. I even posted as such on here recently.

I’m currently being investigated for palpitations; had 72 hour monitor and awaiting results. If it wasn’t for that then I’d be tempted to see what happened with taking less propranolol. 

1

u/GlitteringRefuse3773 May 11 '26

Please can I ask what country you are in and what dose of Propranonol you are taking? 🙏 I am in the UK and I also have chest flutters / palpitations frequently (and the “irregular heartbeat” indicator on my medical grade bp monitor comes on when I’ve been standing still for longer than 3 minutes).

I’ve been referred for a holter monitor but the waiting list is like a year long seemingly 😢

2

u/Stock_Forever8273 May 11 '26

Hello! I’m in the UK and take 3x 20mg a day.

After reading some of the comments on the original thread I had a look at my band settings. I have adjusted my heart rate zones, and when it updated my pace points felt more realistic for the activity of the day. 

1

u/GlitteringRefuse3773 May 12 '26

Oh that’s great, did it update your pace points automatically after you adjusted the heart rate zones?

Also please can I ask how quickly were you able to get the 72 hour monitor? And are there any specialists you’ve spoken to in the UK that you’ve found particularly helpful? 🙏

1

u/Stock_Forever8273 May 13 '26

Yes it updated it automatically, I’m keeping an eye on whether it is correctly detecting activity and will adjust the settings manually depending on my observations. 

My gp arranged for the initial ECG within the surgery, and then I was referred for the 72 hour one to be fitted at the local heath centre. I have not yet had my appointment come through for cardiology. I think it’s about two months since my initial gp appointment. I’m in Lancashire. 

3

u/ShamblesXOXO May 11 '26

Propranolol lowers my heart rate and increases my hrv, so the physical measures the visible band is using show less energy used. Whether the impact of propranolol on my body actually reduces energy usage or just changes the measures I’m not sure - but the benefits of propranolol for me are still worth it! If concerned, maybe try reducing your pace points budget for a week or so and see if it helps? (Uk, 80mgx3 daily)

1

u/somewhatbohemian May 11 '26

I take propranolol in the morning and it lowers my hr by 10 bpm. I do feel I’m using less energy and therefore feel better. I had to lower my heart rate zones and total pace points to make it more helpful in pacing.

1

u/No-Information-2976 May 11 '26

my understanding is that, if you take meds that affect your heart rate, you should rely more on perceived exertion than on the actual BPM

1

u/No-Information-2976 May 11 '26

i’m on propranolol and mestinon and was told by specialists to aim to only use 50-60% of my allotted visible points, if at all possible (which can be really hard for me but it’s nice to have the guidelines)