What does flecainide do to the heart?

As a healthcare professional with expertise in pharmacology, I can explain the effects of flecainide on the heart. Flecainide is an antiarrhythmic medication, which means it is used to treat abnormal heart rhythms, also known as arrhythmias. It functions primarily by blocking certain sodium channels in the heart. Sodium channels are responsible for the rapid depolarization phase of the cardiac action potential, which is crucial for the propagation of electrical signals that cause the heart to contract. By blocking these sodium channels, flecainide slows down the spread of electrical signals through the heart muscle. This can help to prevent the rapid and irregular heartbeats that characterize certain types of arrhythmias. Additionally, flecainide can also have some effect on potassium channels, which can further influence the heart's electrical activity. It's important to note that while flecainide can be effective in treating certain arrhythmias, it can also potentially cause or exacerbate others, which is why it must be used under the supervision of a healthcare provider.

Flecainide is used to prevent or treat irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) such as paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter (PAF). Flecainide is also used to prevent life-threatening sustained ventricular tachycardia (sustained VT).