My first recommendation before I answer your question
is to make sure that you get medical clearance
from your clients MD before working with him/her.
Most of the time the MD’s will approve,
but it is just to cover your #%$! As well, it
is not your job to get him off them, but why is
he on them in the first place? How is his nutrition,
lifestyle, sleep habits, water intake, thoughts,
etc? This is where I would start.
Let me first give you a basic understanding of
how they work and this might help you with your
programming.
How to beta-blockers work:
• Beta-blockers "block" the effects
of adrenaline on your body's beta receptors (beta
1 and beta 2). This slows the nerve impulses that
travel through the heart. As a result, your heart
does not have to work as hard because it needs
less blood and oxygen. Beta-blockers also block
the impulses that can cause an arrhythmia.
• Some beta-blockers are selective, which
means that they block beta 1 receptors more than
they block beta 2 receptors. Beta 1 receptors
are responsible for heart rate and the strength
of your heartbeat.
• Nonselective beta-blockers block both
beta 1 and beta 2 receptors. Beta 2 receptors
are responsible for the function of your smooth
muscles (muscles that control body functions but
that you do not have control over).
So now you know what they do, you need to now
as well as a Health Care Professional of some
other concerns prior to working with this type
of client. AS well, this is info that your client
should be aware of. When taking this type of Rx
medication, make sure that your client is not
on any other meds and if they are, that they are
not contraindicated. You can look all this up
in Mosby’s Desk Drug Reference Guide. I
have had many clients come in on lots of medications.
I research them and a lot of the time their MD’s
put them on so much, that most are contraindicated
with one another. Which most of the time is some
of the symptoms they are experiencing?
While on beta-blockers, you should also avoid
eating or drinking products that have caffeine
or taking over-the-counter cough and cold medicines,
antihistamines, and antacids that contain aluminum.
You should also avoid drinking alcohol, because
it can decrease the effects of beta-blockers.
There are many other Nutrition and Lifestyle principles
that you can teach your client to strengthen their
overall vitality.
So when doing cardio programming with a client
such as this:
1. Make sure you are aware of the side effects
of the medication (cold hands, dry mouth/eyes
and skin, weakness and dizziness, wheezing, slow
heartbeat, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation,
back pain, sore throat, depression, confusion,
impotence and much, much more)
2. As yourself why you want to do cardio with
him? Is it for cardiovascular reasons or weight
loss? If it is for cardiovascular reasons, that
is great. The only glitch is that while doing
cardio, you are not getting a true HR secondary
to the medications. I would keep it simple and
do light cardio at a “talk test” pace.
I would start simple and work your way up depending
on the verbal exertion level your client is expressing
to you. If it is for weight loss, you are barking
up the wrong tree. There are soooooooooooooo many
other areas that you should look in to benefit
the overall well being and vitality of your client.
The first place I would look is in the book How
to Eat, Move and Be Healthy by Paul Chek.
3. Exercise as well can be a challenge, so I would
start simple as well and secondary to the medications
not giving you a true reading of his HR.
I am not one that incorporates a lot of cardio
into my clients programs. You can read Paul Chek’s
articles on cardio and the inhibitions that it
can cause. Using the right type, intensity and
Periodization of exercise, as well as teaching
your client proper nutrition and lifestyle principles
will lead to a life of health and vitality. Cardio
is good, but it all depends on what it is used
for and you can accomplish many other effective
ways besides sitting on a machine. Good luck!
Namaste!
Joshua Rubin
|
