I am back to using Systm after a heart ablation. I am still on beta blockers and so my heart bpm is limited and won’t beat faster than 120bpm. Full Frontal and Half Monty fitness tests use your bpm to produce a result. How can you train on Systm while on beta blockers?
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WOW.
Wish you the very best for a speedy healthy and safe recovery. That said, my advice to you would be to talk to your doctor first and foremost, and then shell out the 
for a consult with the actual coaches. To my mind would be the worth the cost in your situation.
Be well!
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@CPT_A said some. You need to work with your medical team and keep them informed on what you are doing. They may recommend against any high intensity exercise until you stabilize. It’s very possible to do irreversible heart damage at this point.
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I was training after ablation but had to accept while on the drugs I couldnt work as hard as before. Team did allow to train for triathlon after a few weeks but with caveats such as accepting lack of power and feeling the cold. Good news is it didnt take many months to be completely off the drugs following succesful ablation. I did FF about a month after the op to get a new baseline. That was 6 years ago and have never looked back only forward doing LeJog and ultra distance rides. All the best
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Thanks, that was what i was hoping for. I am already finding my power and stamina improving, but hills - i just don’t have enough breath / oxygen for.
I am accepting it won’t be a good idea to abuse myself as hard as previously but get fit enough to enjoy club rides and multi day trips
Thanks for your encouragement by example
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Yes, conscience I don’t want to overdo it, so working within myself, thanks
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YW. I ridden with folks on beta blockers and that’s serious drugs. Hopefully, you’ll be off the medicine chest soon and back to ‘normal’ heart functions.
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@DuncanF Thanks for sharing your journey.
Your situation sounds very similar to a very good friend of mine’s. He was on beta blockers after heart surgery. He went back to cycling, very tentatively at first, riding only easy Z1 and Z2 rides, and above all else, keeping his HR down. He did that for about a year. As he gained fitness and improved his cardiovascular health, he started riding harder. Fast forward 10 years, he was getting podium finishes in local events for his age group, and riding multi day epic adventures. He was riding a lot, and doing it well. He was taking beta blockers the entire time.
There is a future for you on the bike, it might just take some time to get there. Definitely defer to your healthcare experts, listen to your body, and be kind to yourself. My friend Mike used to say “There will always be someone faster than you” 
.
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Thanks, I’m in the UK, with national health service, so to get a doctor wanting to offer advice is slim. My GP would send me to couchlandria. But having said that, i do listen to them
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Do you have a dedicated cardiologist? You should, even if you are on National Health. It’s essential that you receive continuous care with your diagnosis and recent surgery.
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I would also add that cardiologist should be somebody who understands exercise.
I know somebody who, in different circumstances, was deliberately not prescribed beta blockers because they would interfere with their heart rate.
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I agree with the recommendations for specialist advice. My experience after my first ablation was about a year to recover even after going off the drugs. However I pushed really hard after that and wound up needing a second ablation which resulted in my cardiologist (a very fit athletic and informed doc) recommending permanent restrictions on max heart rate. That was eight years ago. I still ride a great deal but am careful with max efforts. I have made peace with my situation and still find enjoyment on the bike with a different set of goals and expectations (which unfortunately means I won’t be storming the castle ever frown)
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Hi, thanks, i feel lucky to have had the ablation, and new opportunity given to me. I am accepting I won’t get back to where i was, but frustrated with slow recovery.
So it is good to hear your experience
Hope things going well for you
You know, not to put you in a bad place or anything, @SoMDMike, but KoS suffering is all relative. If you had to dial it back to do 8-12 hours in Zone 2/3 for a KoS attempt…you’re still putting in 8-12 hours and would be more than welcome in the castle!
(We could probably get Sir @Glen.Coutts to give up the dungeon room for you. 
)
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Yep, there’s always room in the castle @SoMDMike. A Knighthood quest has no fixed intensity figure and only requires that you suffer and do a ride in which you feel immensely proud. 100% suffering is relative.
Talk to your medical team and let them know what you’re planning.
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No worries happy to share hopefully you will be given the okay to resume your previous life
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The only restriction for Knighthood is you must Suffer. No limits on intensity and we really don’t want people permanently injured because of the attempt. Work with your medical team to determine what you can and shouldn’t do. Then assemble your route and, if you feel like it, fundraise.
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Very kind words gents; took a couple of days to think about it and just might see what may be done over the winter (USA/northern hemisphere). Building a nice base currently via 100k plan with week bike tour in Au gust then hopefully full century in September so with that base will reconsider a castle challenge best news in years thanks!
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SoMDMike - when you were recommended permanent restrictions on maximum heart rate - was that advice on not going above a certain bpm? - I do want to avoid an early second ablation
I have had several sessions of SystmX, including the July challenge. I think this has helped get the legs working, and so had my best “heart” ride for a year yesterday. Had more energy, and BPM would rise to nearly 150, several times, and come back down.
So I know the training will help.
Slight pause now because I am having an Angioplasty tomorrow and will have to rest for a week, and then gently train up.
But it all seems to be helpin
Thanks for the comments
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