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Can Metoprolol Negatively Impact Swimming?
Can metoprolol negatively impact swimming? I seem to get out of breath rather easy. Have trouble swimming more than a lap or two w/out stopping. Two days ago did a bike time trial for five miles at 20 mph. Seems I should be able swim better but quicky go into oxygen debt
Tue, 27 Apr 2021
Hi,
Metoprolol is a beta blocker. Beta blockers cause a decrease in heart rate as well as contractibility of heart, thus resulting in decreased stroke volume & decreased cardiac output. Any exercise (Including swimming) will require the increased cardiac output for meeting the oxygen demand of body during exercise.
Normally, this demand is met by increase in heart rate as well as contracting force of heart. But due to effect of beta blocker on the sympathetic nervous system, desired heart rate and contractile force of heart cannot be achieved and patient can feel an early fatigue resulting in a reduced capacity of exercise including swimming.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician
Metoprolol is a beta blocker. Beta blockers cause a decrease in heart rate as well as contractibility of heart, thus resulting in decreased stroke volume & decreased cardiac output. Any exercise (Including swimming) will require the increased cardiac output for meeting the oxygen demand of body during exercise.
Normally, this demand is met by increase in heart rate as well as contracting force of heart. But due to effect of beta blocker on the sympathetic nervous system, desired heart rate and contractile force of heart cannot be achieved and patient can feel an early fatigue resulting in a reduced capacity of exercise including swimming.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician
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