I typically take my BP pills after my morning workout.

I’m not going to have time to get a workout in this morning and would like to work out tonight instead, but since the atenolol will keep my workout heart rate lower than I would normally be able to get to, do I still get the cardio benefits of working out?

My apologies if this is considered a stupid question, I’ve just never really thought about it before.

I can't speak medically for your case but my doc has me take my pill at night before bed.
Call your doc.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
I can't speak medically for your case but my doc has me take my pill at night before bed.

That's when I take mine as well.

However, it sounds like atenolol works via a different mechanism than some of the other BP meds, since some (most?) other BP meds don't also lower your heart rate.

Talk to your doc. He may have advice on the schedule, or be able to switch you to a different BP med that won't affect your workout.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
I can't speak medically for your case but my doc has me take my pill at night before bed.

Yup, studies have shown that's the best time.

There have been times when my BP was dropping to under 120/70 so I tested weaning myself off my BP med. (5mg Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor). IME it took a day or two to see the effect on my BP. It was never instantaneous. YMMV.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Call your doc.

Yup.

In my experience, you will still get some benefit. Due to a cardiac condition, I am well medicated. My bp is usually 80s/50s and my exercising pulse rate barely over 100. Yet, I still enjoy the benefits of exercise including increased stamina and weight loss / maintenance.

So I may only be a retired cardiologist, but I prescribed a lot of atenolol. Even without looking it up in UpToDate, I can tell you it has been proven that cardio benefits still occur with patients on atenolol even though the heart rate is lower.