Getting older and slower!
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Posts: 419
Bikes: Trek Domane 6 series Project One, Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, Trek XO1, Specialized Turbo Vado 6.0
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I have been on a beta blocker since having five bypass surgery in January, 2005. Yes, they have slowed me down and hills aren't fun anymore. I can't get my heart rate above 115-120. Wish I could get it up to 140!
I've tried to get my cardiologist to take me off of them, but he says I should feel lucky I can still ride. He says he is more interested in keeping me alive than he is on how fast I can climb hills.
I am the only person in our cycling club that uses their heart rate monitor to make sure I keep my rate BELOW 115. If I get it up above 115 for any length of time, I am toast for the rest of the ride. Also, I use my heart rate monitor to make sure I have rested enough at my breaks, letting my heart rate get down below 90 before I proceed.
So they are a pain, but doing their job. And my cardiologist is right; I am glad I can still enjoy riding as a 67 year old survivor of two heart incidents.