VO2max increases with lower heart rate under medication?

The VO2max algorithm somehow compares HR against pace. It doesn't know you're on medication. If this medication has the effect of lowering your HR your 935 is going to think you are fitter.

Besides I often get the best VO2max numbers after slow runs with low HR anyway. The two combined probably explain the 'improved' VO2max.

May I assume you cleared the running with the physician who prescribed the beta blockers? If your HR doesn't pick up enough for the activity you are doing you might end up with dizzy spells or other nasties so be careful.

I agree with Cloggy - VO2Max compares HR (as a % of maxHR) against pace. External factors that influence HR (eg. heat, illness, or in this case, beta blockers) will lead to inaccurate predictions of VO2Max.

I'm not sure how long you will be on these - if only short term, perhaps use the Trail Run app rather than Running - as this doesn't calculate a VO2Max.

In the longer term, one possible solution might be to re-assess your maxHR with beta blockers, so that your HR as a % of maxHR is aligned again. Although you should probably be talking to your doctor about this before doing a maximal test to find your new maxHR.

Same medication here but 5mg instead of 1.25mg. My HR went down in average about 15 beats per minute. My medication is for an arrhythmia.

You need to enter your new Max HR in your watch to allow the logic to calculate your VoMax properly; once I did that my Vo2Max numbers started to align as I had before. All my HR zones were modified, my lactate HR as well, although my lactate pace was around the same.

I read a lot about the impacts of the medication on your endurance and all the available information was telling me that my endurance would be negative affected, I was really disappointed with this new reality, I didn't know if my bad workout days were because of the medication or regular bad days as anyone here typically has. However after finishing a full training cycle for half marathon I can happily report that my times for the same course before and after the medication are similar, even it was faster with the medication with an avg. HR of 24 beats lower this time. My time before medication was 1:50 and with medication 1:46 for a half marathon in the same course.

Let me know if you have any question.

Hello,

I know your response was from a year ago, but was wondering if I could ask a few questions.

I've just read your post and am inspired to hear that you you've beaten your pre-medication time in a half marathon while taking heart meds. I'm currently taking metoprolol 25mg daily for arrythmia and find that it's difficult to do speed workouts as it feels like I'm running with an emergency brake on, lol. I believe my heart rate has gone down approximately 10 beats. 

My questions are:

- How did you calculate your maximum heart rate?

- Do you find it's harder to do intervals or speed workouts? 

- Did you alter your training at all after starting your meds?

Thanks for your input!

Just ran across this and thought I would weigh in.  I am 68, take 200 mg Metoprolol beta blocker daily for 20+ years, started running 10 years ago, and have since run 9 marathons and 18 halfs, including 4 "Dopey's".  Definetely "running life" with beta blockers and heart disease.  As other said, always follow your doc's advice...

1) I used an on-line calculator for max, then adjusted down based on "feel" for me, max is about 5 bpm below the age table.

2) Yes, absolutely harder for me to do intervals.  My heart rate will not jump as fast as my body needs it to. So, a longer warm up for me and slower "fast runs" then I would like.  After all these years, I have learned to focus more on endurance then speed.  Beta blockers have kept me from getting a Boston qualifier... at least I tell myself that. :-)

3) I started running after the meds.... search the boards... most, but not all, on beta blockers have to accept a slower pace.... but... I am "still faster" than most mynage... and my focus on endurance keeps me smiling (most of) a marathon... 

Bst wishes to you BDJ