Hole In The Heart

A hole in the heart is a congenital heart defect that might be mild and not cause any concern, or it can be severe and require surgery.

Hole in the heart

A hole in the heart is a hole in the atrial septum, which is the barrier between the upper two heart chambers, and that causes more blood to go through the lungs.

The heart has four chambers, the atria, which are the two upper chambers, and the ventricles, which are the two lower ones. Normally, the blood moves from the right side of the heart to the lungs, and then the lungs take the oxygen and transfer it to the left side of the heart, which, in turn, pumps the blood through the aorta. Atrial septal defect causes more blood to transfer to the lungs, and that puts extra effort on the heart’s right side, which can lead to severe complications.

Causes and risk factors of hole in the heart

• There isn’t a clear cause for hole in the heart, but the following reasons may play a role in it: genetic changes, smoking, alcohol misuse, certain medications, and certain conditions (such as Down syndrome, Williams syndrome, and mitral or pulmonary valve disease).
• The following factors increase the risk of atrial septal defect: diabetes, flu, lupus, rubella during the first months of pregnancy, cocaine and alcohol during pregnancy, and taking certain medications during pregnancy, like those that are used to treat seizures and mood conditions.

Symptoms of hole in the heart

Not all patients with hole in heart have symptoms, which include:

• Shortness of breath with physical activity.
• Heart palpitations.
• Extreme tiredness.
• Irregular heartbeats.
• Swelling in the abdomen, legs, or feet.
• ASD can lead to pulmonary hypertension, enlargement of the right heart, stroke, heart failure, and early death.

Diagnosis of hole in the heart

• Heart tests.
• Imaging tests.

Treatment of hole in the heart

• Treating hole in the heart depends on the size of the hole and the symptoms.
• The hole in the heart may close on its own during childhood.
• Large holes require surgery to close them.