To improve blood pressure and the heart's ability to pump blood, doctors often prescribe beta blockers. These prescription medications help relax cardiac muscles, slowing your heart rate to a healthier level and reducing the force of circulating blood on your arterial walls. This can lower high blood pressure, treat tachycardia and preserve the function of your heart. Like many prescription medications, beta blockers aren't without their side effects, including what's often referred to as unintentional weight gain. However, it's still possible to lose weight while taking this blood pressure medication. The best way to do this is with a combination of diet and exercise.
Step 1
Consult your primary health care provider. Not only is this essential prior to any weight loss plan, but it's also important to inform doctors of side effects involving prescription drugs. The Cleveland Clinic recommends talking to your primary physician if you gain 3 lbs or more in a day, gain more than 5 lbs or continue to gain weight for 3 or more days.
Step 2
Reduce your caloric intake by limiting your portion sizes. By eating less food, you can naturally reduce your caloric intake, and thereby generate a caloric deficit. A deficit in calories is necessary to lose weight, even while on beta blockers.
Step 3
Eliminate high-fat foods from your diet. Foods high in fat often contain a high amount of calories, so eliminate foods with trans-fatty acids and cut back on foods with saturated fat to encourage weight loss.
Step 4
Look for ways to incorporate healthier foods into your diet. Vegetables, legumes, fruits and whole grains are relatively low in calories. By filling your breakfast, lunch and supper plates with these products, you lower your caloric intake and promote weight loss.
Step 5
Burn additional calories with exercise. Exercising for at least 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week can help you shed those pounds gained on beta blockers. The Mayo Clinic explains that you may need to take part in a stress test to establish a new target heart rate for exercise while on this prescription medication.
Tips and Warnings
- Never stop taking your medication to combat weight gain. Your doctor can often recommend other steps to take to help promote weight loss.
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