Mary, I was on a beta blocker for two years. The result was weight gain! Those things slow your whole body down, not just the heart rate. This was before I went on a low carb way of eating, and after low carbing, my heart rate slowed down to the point that I no longer needed the meds. I had congestive heart failure and was facing a heart transplant. I was on a diuretic, potassium, bp meds, and the beta blocker. After low carbing, I was able to get off all meds and the heart is normal. I was good about lowering the salt during the time of cardiomyopothy, and kept up the exercise. I am in no means saying that anyone should go off their meds without their cardiologist's approval! I am trying to say that IMHO, diet has more to do with *everything* than most docs are willing to say. Thank God my cardiologist recommended Atkins to me. Jan in AZ for the winter