Beta Blockers and Cycling: What I Learned the Hard Way
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Many years ago, I was prescribed beta blockers to manage high blood pressure. At the time, I didn’t think much of it—I took the pills and kept riding. But something started to change. On longer training rides, I began to feel a sudden wave of fatigue . Not the kind you can push through. One moment I was doing fine, and the next, I felt like I hit a wall. The ride home? Miserable. Eventually, I brought it up with my doctor. He listened and explained something I hadn’t considered: fatigue like I was experiencing is a known side effect of beta blockers . He switched me to a different medication—and just like that, the problem disappeared. This experience taught me how important it is for cyclists—especially those of us taking heart or blood pressure medications—to understand how these drugs affect performance . What Are Beta Blockers? Beta blockers are a class of medications commonly prescribed for: High blood pressure Heart disease Certain anxiety conditions They...
