What is the mechanism of action of digitalis?
Disease description:
I'd like to learn about digitalis—what is its mechanism of action?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Ziyi
Digitalis enhances the heart's contractility and slows the heart rate by affecting the cardiac muscle contraction. These effects are caused by the active components in digitalis, which inhibit the activity of an enzyme called Na+/K+ ATPase, leading to the accumulation of sodium and calcium within cardiac cells. This increases the strength and coordination of the heart muscle, enabling the heart to pump blood more effectively and helping to alleviate symptoms of heart conditions such as heart failure. However, digitalis must be used with great caution due to its potential toxicity and tendency to cause poisoning. Therefore, it must be taken under a doctor's supervision and strictly according to medical instructions.
