Beta-blockers is a class of medications that are used commonly for the treatment of hypertension, angina, and various arrhythmias. They have been shown to reduce mortality in patients after myocardial infarction as well as reverse hypertrophy (thickening) of the ventricles in patients with hypertension. Recently, they have been shown to reduce mortality in patients with congestive heart failure. There are two major classes of receptors that are blocked by these medications: beta-1 receptors (found in heart muscle) and beta-2 receptors (found in bronchial and vascular smooth muscle as well as heart muscle). Beta-blockers that block only one type of receptor are called selective beta-blockers whereas those that block both types of receptors are called non-selective beta-blockers. Examples of beta-1 selective beta-blockers are: acebutolol (Sectral®), atenolol (Tenormin®), bisoprolol (Zebeta®), and metoprolol (Lopressor® or Toprol XL®). Generic names are listed with examples of brand names in parentheses. Examples of non-selective beta-blockers (both beta-1 and beta-2 activity) are: propranolol (Inderal® or Inderal LA®), nadolol (Corgard®), and timolol (Blocadren®).