Beta blockers and calcium channel blocker really would not have much of an adverse effect on someone that didn't suffer from the initially diagnosed problem. Both will slow the heart rate, but the benefit is that they maintain a fairly steady, sinus rhythm even during periods of stress and exercise when the heart would normally speed up. When a patient is on beta blockers and calcium channel blockers is placed on a tread mill for a cardiac stress test, it is very difficult to get their heart rate up to the highest possible level because the medications prevent this from happening. In some instances, we had the patient discontinue the medications for 48 hours prior to the stress test so we could obtain accurate results. Now, this is unnecessary because the stress can be induced chemically, which is also beneficial for those who have physical disabilties that preclude them walking briskly on a treadmill. In my case, my lung disease makes it nearly impossible for me to use the treadmill, so I usually have a thallium stress test performed. At this stage of life, though, I just hope that I DO die from a massive heart attack. Beats the Hell out of slowly suffocating to death.

All the best,

Gary