Beta Blockers & Heart Monitors

John Poole said:

Was wondering if any of you riders are taking a beta blocker for high blood
pressure and use a heart rate monitor on your bike for training. Since the
beta blocker lowers your heart rate [mine about 10 beats per minute] what
is the proper method to figure your proper resting & maximum heart rate?

An individual's max heart rate is determined empirically. Push until
you can't push any more, and that your MHR.

Now obviously, for someone like you (and me), you want to do this under
medical supervision: a stress test. Having a heart attack or strok
while hammering up a hill trying to find your MHR is not what you want.

I assume the beta blocker is a medication of last resort for you? It's
not usually the best first choice for patients who are very active,
because it does reduce performance and limit capacity. My doctor and I
have been working for years trying to balance calcium-channel blockers,
diuretics, and beta-blockers to control my hypertension while keeping
me on the bike to maintain the fitness that has prevented any more
heart attacks. It's a struggle, but keeping the beta-blocker to a
minimum has been beneficial.

RichC