Nitrate medications or nitroglycerin and exercise:
These medications increase heart rate and blood pressure during rest and exercise. They will increase baseline exercise capacity in patients with pre-existing angina and have no effect on those patients without angina. In patients with CHF, nitrates will increase or have no affect on baseline exercise capacity.
Diuretics and exercise:
These medications increase the production of urine but do not effect exercise capacity except potentially in patients with congestive heart failure by relieving edema in the lungs. Heart rate during rest and exercise is not affected. Blood pressure may decrease or remain unaffected with the use of diuretics. They may lower hydration status.