Originally Posted by
bernmart
Sorry for what will probably be a long post. For years I was on a blood pressure med--Lisinopril and a diuretic--which moderated my bp but had me peeing a dozen or more times a day. Embarrassing and inconvenient on long rides. A few months ago I was switched to a new med--Amlodipine-- which has me urinating more normally. BUT I've been feeling less strong, particularly on long, steep climbs. A nurse noticed the other day that my resting heartbeat, which used to be 55/62 bpm, was down to 43!
Could there be a connection between the lowered heart rate and decreased strength at max effort? My docs are so fixated on even mild hypertension as the root of all evil that I can't get straight answers from them about this kind of side effect.
BTW, I'm 75, 6'2", 200 lbs, and did 8000 miles last year, including six centuries.
Isn't Amlodipine a combo of Beta Blockers and Calcium Channel Blockers? I tried them a year ago and ended up with blood pressure of around 90/50 and was so weak I couldn't go up a hill. I use Benicar (an ARB) and find that I cannot take it before a hard, mountainous ride as BP gets too low. My Nephrologist is the one suggesting this. But when not riding it can get up to 150/75. I have read that endurance athletes in good condition can have high systolic pressure due to high stroke volume coupled with high peripheral arterial pressures from the heart to the arm due to large vessels from the heart pumping into smaller vessels in the arm creating high resistance . As I read it the diastolic remains normal. Your problem is probably not related to pulse but your max and working heart rates due to the Beta Blocker effect. Ask your Doc about ARB's as they do not effect athletic performance and if needed can be gotten with hydrochlorothiazide. I rarely use the Thiazide version as I too have to pee about every half hour. I'm 72 and unfortunately have vast personal experience with BP meds.