Beta Blockers and exercise:
Examples include Lopressor and Toprol XL( metoprolol), Coreg (carvedilol), Tenormin (atenolol), and Bystolic (bisoprolol). Beta blockers reduce heart rate and blood pressure during both rest and exercise. Beta blockers will increase baseline exercise capacity in patients with pre-existing angina and will either decrease or have no affect on those patients without angina.
Calcium channel blockers and exercise:
Examples include Adalat and Procardia (nifedipine), Cardizem (dilitiazem), and Calan (verapamil). These drugs will increase baseline exercise capacity in patients with pre-existing angina and have no effect on those patients without angina. During rest and exercise, nifedipine increases heart rate and decreases blood pressure. Dilitiazem and verapamil decrease both heart rate and blood pressure during rest and exercise.