Current pharmacological treatments of heart failure are effective, but limited. For example, digitalis increases vitality and athletic endurance, but the dosage must be very finely calculated or poisoning may result. Moreover, the drug's effect on the mortality rate is still unclear. Diuretics quickly eliminate breathing difficulties and swelling caused by the retention of water, but do not keep the patient in stable condition over long periods.
目前治療心臟衰竭的藥物雖然有效，但也有其限制，例如毛地黃能改善生活能力與運動耐量，但安全範圍窄，容易中毒，對死亡率影響不明；利尿劑可以迅速解除水鈉瀦留所引起的呼吸困難和水腫，但不能長期保持病情平穩。