‘Hole in heart’ defect explained

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Hole in the Heart Causes, Signs & Symptoms


Intro • A normal heart is divided into two sides, the left and the right, separated by a wall known as the septum. • A hole in the septum dividing the upper left and right heart chambers is known as Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) • A septum hole of the lower chambers is known as Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD).


Causes of The Hole in The Heart • Genetics

A child may be at a higher risk of septal defect if either parent has a congenital heart defect. However, it is quite rare for a family to have more than one child with the defect.

• Presence of other genetic disorders

Children with a hereditary disorder like Down syndrome often also have a heart defect from birth.

• Smoking

Babies born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy are prone of various congenital heart defects like ASD and VSD.

Read about symptoms of Congenital Heart Defects.


Symptoms • Heart murmur • Fatigue • Shortness of breath, palpitations • Bluish skin colour • Rapid breathing


Screening Tests • ASD and VSD are diagnosed through the following: – Physical exam (The doctor listens to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope for heart murmur) – Echocardiography – Electrocardiogram (EKG) – Chest x-ray – Cardiac catheterization – Pulse oximetry


Read details about Atrial Septal Defect surgery and get cost estimate for ASD surgery for FREE.


Treatment • Based on regular check ups, a doctor may suggest treatment on children with a medium or large hole at two to five years of age. • Treatment generally involves Surgical or Catheter procedures to seal the hole.

– Surgery: An incision in the chest allows the surgeon to cover the hole with a special patch. – Catheter procedure: Performed under anaesthesia, the procedure involves inserting a catheter in the vein of the groin and threading it up towards the septum.


• Read this article in full here https:// blog.credihealth.com/hole-in-heart-cause-symptoms-treatment • Find best Cardiology Hospitals in Hyderabad • And to get other health articles, visit https://blog.credihealth.com ***


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