The focus of this study was to determine the influence of Tiotropium (Spiriva) on cardiac parameters measured both at rest and during exercise. More specifically, we first examined cardiac function in a group of COPD patients and healthy age and gender matched controls. Our hypothesis was that at rest cardiac function would be similar between groups; however, with light and heavier exercise, there would be evidence for a blunted stroke volume and perhaps cardiac output in the COPD patients. Second, we compared in a placebo-controlled double blinded manner cardiac function with and without chronic use of tiotropium in age, gender, and disease matched COPD patients. Our hypothesis was that in the Tiotropium (Spiriva) group at a matched workload, the reduced obstruction would allow for improved cardiac function, specifically an increase in stroke volume and reduction in heart rate. The interactions in this population between metabolic demand, fitness, lung mechanics, and cardiovascular function are complicated and thus studies were pursued at matched workloads and heart rate as well as with heavier exercise in an attempt to discriminate a primary influence of altered obstruction on cardiovascular function.