Digoxin is a medication commonly used to treat congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Congestive heart failure is an enlargement of the heart that doesn't allow it to pump blood effectively. Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that affects the upper chambers of the heart. Therefore, this medication is beneficial because it can increase the force of contraction for congestive heart failure (CHF) and control electrical impulses in atrial fibrillation.
Effect on CHF
According to Drugs.com, Digoxin alters the action of special signaling channels in the heart, an intricate structure made up of blood vessels, muscle, neurons and ion channels. Neurons communicate to the heart muscle through these ion channels. This controls the heart rate or the timing of heartbeats. The contraction or force of the heartbeat is controlled by the levels of calcium in the heart muscle. Therefore, to increase contraction, digoxin inhibits a channel that causes an increase in the levels of calcium in the heart muscle. Now that the levels of calcium in the heart are increased, each nerve signal results in a stronger muscular contraction. A stronger contraction results in more blood being pumped through the heart and throughout the body.
Effect on Atrial Fibrillation
According to the American Heart Association, atrial fibrillation affects millions of Americans. Although atrial fibrillation is usually asymptomatic, it can be detrimental because this irregular heartbeat can result in dizzy spells, blood clots and loss of consciousness. However, many medications can control atrial fibrillation. According to Drugs.com, digoxin controls atrial fibrillation by slowing nerve signal conduction to the atrioventricular node. The AV node is responsible for the contraction rate of the atria. Because digoxin slows this conduction, the irregularity of the contraction rate is better controlled, reducing irregular heartbeats.
Long-Term Effects
When taking medications, it's important to be aware of short-term and long-term results. Some medications are used to treat current symptoms, some used for long-term effects, and others for both. According to an article in the 2006 publication Circulation, digoxin has no long-term effects on reducing death or hospitalizations. Therefore, this medication is used to treat symptoms of CHF and irregular heartbeats.
