(1) Atrial fibrillation-an irregularity of the heart-beat. Digoxin is especially effective in slowing and strengthening the heart in this condition. (2) Heart failure: Digoxin is one of the drugs for which correct dosage is very important: the right dose for one person may be an overdose for someone else. Side-effects may develop after some weeks … Read more
Digoxin is one of the oldest drugs used in modern medicine. Over 200 years ago a country doctor discovered that an extract of foxglove leaves helped patients with heart failure. The modern drug is produced chemically; it has the same effect as the older crude extract of foxgloves but it can be used with much … Read more
Whenever you are given a prescription for a new drug, make sure you know the answers to these questions: … Read more
Drugs may be given by mouth as tablets or capsules depending on their chemical nature, the speed of action required, and convenience. Some drugs need to be taken once a day while others may need to be taken three or four times daily. Sometimes a more prolonged and steady level of the drug can be … Read more
Some drugs act just by relieving symptoms-for example “pain killers”. Others replace deficiencies in the body-iron tablets used to treat one sort of anaemia. Others still kill off bacteria-antibiotics. Most drugs used to treat heart conditions adjust the working of the heart or circulation rather like a mechanic tuning an engine which is not functioning … Read more
Very many different drugs are used to treat heart disease, yet they all belong to a few main types. Within each category the drugs are very similar, but even minor variations may be important for some people. With this variety of drugs to choose from the doctor can choose one drug rather than another so … Read more
Great improvements have been made in the treatment of heart disease in recent years, in large part from the research and development of new, effective medicines or drugs. (Many people misunderstand the word “drug”: it simply means a medicine.) These new drugs are effective because they are powerful, and if you have been prescribed one … Read more
So far as is known, life expectancy is improved by operations upon the heart, and many Life Insurance companies will accept these clients, though the premiums to be paid may have to be adjusted. Remember that most heart defects can be mended, and surgeons are daily getting better and better at doing it. The future … Read more
People with trivial defects or surgically corrected hearts should be able to lead normal lives, but it may be wise in some instances not to become involved in a job which requires a lot of hard physical work out of doors. The Armed Services are not willing to accept people who have had an operation … Read more
There is no reason why girls should not enjoy normal family life and bring up children in the normal way if they have mild heart problems. Many thousands of women have brought up families after quite major defects have been corrected surgically, but it would, of course, be wise to discuss the possibility of pregnancy … Read more