Cardiac glycosides are special glycosides that have a special effect on the heart. They often increase the contractile force of the heart but decrease the rate of contractions. Hence, the heart beats stronger. These glycosides include digitalis, which is often used when the heart is failing in order to stabilize it.
However, its use is also associated with arrhythmias that lead to complex problems for the patient. The cardiac glycosides work by inhibiting the sodium potassium pump in the cell membranes of the myocyte. This causes the sodium within the cell to stay elevated to ensure the action potential lasts longer.
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