I take metoprolol which lowers your heart rate.
I went for a stress test and they said don't take metoprolol before the test, OK, I took it the night before.
Day of the test about 8 AM the nurse is asking me when I took my metoprolol, "last night, about 10". she gives me a look.
I was supposed to get my HR up to 137 for the test. They offered me a choice of treadmill or some kind of pill, I chose the treadmill.
Walking pace, a slight incline, HR is not going up much. They offer the pill, I decline. Turn up the pace , a bit steeper, HR still low.
Would you like a pill ? No.
Jogging up a hill. Not quite there.
Want a pill ? No. I really don't want a pill.
Running up a fucking hill. The nurse is at my side yelling go go, 135, go, 136, come on go, 137 !!!
The nurse was actually proud of me, I told her she helped a lot. The doc monitoring the whole thing was bemused. I felt like I had run a marathon, was sore for a couple days.
I honestly think the whole thing was just a scam to get money from the insurance co. I have high blood pressure, no real heart trouble.
All those years of bicycling and running built a strong foundation.
I now rely on the pills, too much, I have to start some kind of cardio exercise.