Beta Blockers

[Jay_SMART_Diver]

Hi DocVikingo,

Thanks for the very informative post. Didn't understand all of the terms but certainly got the gist.

That's why I was trying to be a little simplistic...no offense Clynes.

 

[DocVikingo]

I see your point, Jay. But, it really does seem that if a poster can understand your contribution of "Beta Blockers lower blood pressure by decreasing the "squeeze" or force of the heart's contraction," they also should be able to comprehend mine of "This type of medication reduces the force of the heart's contraction, the amount of blood the heart pumps out with each contraction and lowers heart rate."

Wouldn't you agree?

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[InTheDrink]

FYI, terms I didn't understand:
#1 - 13 mets upon exercise stress testing
#2 - systolic nor diastolic BP

But the gist was clear. Thanks

 

[adurso]

FYI, terms I didn't understand:
#1 - 13 mets upon exercise stress testing
#2 - systolic nor diastolic BP

But the gist was clear. Thanks

mets=metabolic equivalent, 1 met is at rest, 13 is heavy aerobic exercise

systolic=when heart beats
diastolic=when heart rests

 

[dannobee]

Since nobody has posted first hand experience using beta blockers and diving, I'll chime in.

I took Atenolol for a couple of years for HBP and my Dr. knew that I dived. The difference that I noted was shortness of breath when hiking to and from dive sites. Some of the sites that I was diving at the time included 1/4 to 1/2 mile hikes in full gear, up and down stairs and cliff entries/exits. I just slowed down and took it easy.

In the water I didn't notice any difference, but,then again, I always went slow and looked around. My heart rate never increased much over resting state when diving anyway, so I didn't consider the act of diving itself to be aerobic or strenuous.

One other thing that may or may not be related was that I had a couple of bouts of vertigo while using Atenolol. I don't know if they were related or not, and my Doc's diagnosis said they were not related, but I do know that after coming off of the drug, I had no further vertigo episodes (been off for a few years now).

After reading up on Atenolol, I noticed that vertigo was a side effect for some, and it could be that I was more susceptible or that diving changes the effect.

 

[bleeb]

mets=metabolic equivalent, 1 met is at rest, 13 is heavy aerobic exercise

systolic=when heart beats
diastolic=when heart rests

Someone once posted a link to this reference here on ScubaBoard which can be useful: USC Prevention Research Center :: PRC Reports and Tools

13 METS is roughly equivalent to being able to run a mile in 7:45 (4:50/km).
Or swimming a fast front crawl.
Or climbing stairs carrying 90+ lbs. (Funny, that's about the weight of my scuba gear.)
OTOH, I don't think there was much in the way of firm conclusions about what this document really meant by "skindiving".

 

[InTheDrink]

Thanks Dannobee, good to hear a first hand account. Whilst I do everything in my power not to exert or over exert myself, I do end up swimming against strong currents for short periods on a lot of dives. These can exhaust me even when not on Beta Blockers. I really notice how tired my legs feel when cycling or walking up hills when taking BBs and I don't think I'd really like to feel that way against a powerful current.
John