My doctor gave me bisoprolol fumarate 10 mg because my blood pressure was too high. My blood pressure has now dropped to 130/75, but I notice that I can now walk for less time. Could this have to do with too little oxygen in the muscles? I am a 77 year old woman and have always been very active.
Joris Bartstra, journalist with medical diploma
Bisoprolol is a beta-blocker: it inhibits the influence of activating hormones (such as adrenaline) on the heart and muscles. As a result, the pumping power of the heart decreases somewhat. This lowers blood pressure. But the blood flow to the muscles also decreases and you feel that when you put pressure on them. There are also other blood pressure lowering agents (these cause ‘wider’ blood vessels). It is best to discuss this with your doctor, because a lot of exercise is more important for your heart and blood vessels than a blood pressure ‘by the book’.
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