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A hole in the heart is one of the most common heart defects seen in infants. It is a type of congenital heart defect. The hole is present in the muscular wall, separating the right and left chambers of the heart.
According to a study by Saxena in the year 2018, it was reported for every 1000 babies, nine are born with a congenital heart defect. Read below to know about this condition, including symptoms, causes and treatment options.
Disease Name | Hole in heart |
Alternative Name | Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) |
Symptoms | Bluish discolouration of the skin, Tiredness, Heart murmur, Pulmonary hypertension, Stroke |
Causes | Genetic, Consumption of alcohol or smoking during pregnancy |
Diagnosis | Echocardiogram, CT scan, MRI, X-ray |
Treated By | Cardiologist, Cardio surgeon |
Treatment Options | Catheter-based repair, Open heart surgery |
A hole in the heart is a nonmedical term used commonly for a congenital heart defect. It is characterised by the presence of a hole, which occurs due to structural abnormality.
This heart structure issue is known as an atrial septal defect when it occurs between the two atria and as a ventricular septal defect when it happens between the ventricles.
The effect of a heart hole on health varies based on its size and where it's located. Small holes might not have noticeable symptoms and might naturally close up. But bigger ones require medical attention because they can result in issues like pulmonary hypertension and heart failure.
A baby with a hole in the heart can grow up normally and lead an active and healthy life with appropriate medical care.
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Several types of holes in the heart can occur, and they are often congenital, meaning they are present from birth. These holes can affect the normal flow of blood through the heart and the body. These holes in the heart can vary in size and severity. The main types are:
Small holes (less than 5 mm) do not result in any considerable passage of blood through them and thus do not cause enough strain on the heart or lungs to result in symptoms. The larger holes in the heart, however, may cause any of the following symptoms:
The heart is divided into four chambers - two on top called atria and two below called ventricles. These chambers are separated by a wall known as the septum, which is made up of different parts that come together as a baby develops in the womb.
Normally, these parts fully connect to create a solid wall. But in certain situations, they don't fuse completely, and this can result in a gap. The causes are:
While the exact cause of a hole in the heart is not always known, certain risk factors are believed to raise the likelihood of a baby being born with a hole in the heart. These include:
Though prevention of this condition is not possible, precautions can be taken. These include:
Diagnosing a hole in the heart involves several steps to determine the presence and type of defect. The cardiologist will recommend the following to diagnose:
If the baby is exhibiting some symptoms suggestive of a hole in the heart, the parents need to get the baby examined by a physician. For a fruitful visit, consider the below-mentioned recommendations:
While visiting a doctor for consultation regarding a hole in the heart, be prepared to expect the doctor to do one or more of the following:
Many a time, the hole in the heart closes on its own as the child grows. However, sometimes it may not. In such cases, if they are large enough to adversely affect the health of the heart or lungs, they need to be closed surgically.
If surgery is not possible due to some reason or while waiting for the hole in the heart to close on its own, management of the condition can be done by the following methods:
Although home remedies cannot be considered a treatment for a hole in the heart, they can help to some extent in preventing and managing the symptoms:
Many people have faith in alternative treatment approaches like Ayurveda and Homeopathy for the treatment of heart conditions like a hole in the heart. Find below the best options in alternative forms of therapy:
Many cardiologists advise surgery for a moderate to large atrial septal defect after it is diagnosed in childhood or adulthood. After undergoing atrial septal defect surgery, regular check-ups and echocardiograms are vital for monitoring potential complications.
The surgical treatment of ASD are:
The cost of open heart surgery in India can vary depending on several factors, including the type of surgery, the hospital or clinic where the procedure is performed, and the location. Here is a table highlighting the cost of the surgery:
Name of Surgery | Cost |
Open Heart Surgery | ₹ 3,00,000 - ₹5,00,000 |
Depending on the type and size of the hole in the heart, there may be a wide range of complications. Small ASDs or VSDs may never be of concern and frequently close on their own over time. The risks of the hole in the heart are:
Prompt diagnosis and treatment play a vital role in successfully treating a hole in the heart. Thus, if the baby is showing symptoms suggestive of this condition, do not delay visiting a doctor. The symptoms that warrant a consultation with a doctor are:
Diet for Hole in Heart
For individuals with a heart defect, it's essential to maintain a heart-healthy diet to support overall well-being. The diet may include the following:
While a hole in the heart may initially seem daunting and present challenges, it is comforting to know that this is a manageable condition. With continued research and innovations in the treatments available nowadays, the prognosis of patients with a hole in the heart continues to get brighter.
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A congenital cardiac abnormality known as a hole in the heart occurs when the wall between the heart's lower and upper chambers, the ventricles and the atria, respectively, has a hole in it. This is a condition that is present from birth.
A congenital cardiac defect hole in the heart is also known medically as ventricular septal defect (VSD) or atrial septal defect (ASD).
The different types of holes in the heart are:
Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)
Atrial Septal Defect
Ventricular Septal Defect
Patent Arteriosus Ductus (PDA)
In a normal heart, there is no hole present. However, there are holes in some congenital heart defects such as ASD and VSD. In these cases, there may be just one hole or can be more than one hole. The sizes of the holes also vary from patient to patient.
Smaller holes in the heart (less than 5 mm) usually do not cause symptoms. The larger holes, however, may present with symptoms in the first few days, weeks or months of a child's life.
Hole in the heart baby symptoms generally consist of:
Adults may have the following hole-in-the-heart symptoms:
It is unclear as to what causes a hole in the heart in an infant. ASD or VSD is a structural issue that develops during the development of the baby's heart while they are still in the womb.
These could be factors that might cause a hole in the heart in a baby:
Genetics
Specific illnesses
Usage of specific drugs
Environmental or lifestyle factors of the mother, such as smoking or drinking alcohol
A hole in the heart is almost always present at birth. Very rarely, however, an adult can get a hole in the heart following a heart attack if the septal wall becomes very thin and perforates due to infarction. Sometimes, a hole in the heart can also be caused due to an injury during cardiac surgery.
A baby may be more likely to be born with a hole in the heart or other congenital heart abnormalities if certain medical conditions are present in the mother or due to the usage of some medicines or substances during pregnancy. These include:
Infection with German measles (rubella) in the early stages of pregnancy
Diabetes
Lupus
Use of tobacco or alcohol
Usage of illicit drugs such as cocaine
Use of specific medications such as some anti-seizure, blood pressure medicines and those for treating mood disorders
Family history of congenital heart disease
Yes, a hole in the heart is a congenital condition and develops when the baby is still in the womb during the development of the heart of the baby.
One or more of the following tests are used for the diagnosis of a hole in the heart:
Echocardiogram
ECG
Pulse oximetry
Chest X-ray
Exercise stress test for adults
Cardiac catheterisation
Foetal echocardiogram
ECG (electrocardiography) is used to evaluate the electrical activity of the heart and diagnose arrhythmia, which can arise due to a hole in the heart. However, ECG is not a confirmatory test to detect a hole in the heart.
Many heart holes close naturally in the first few months after birth. The heart holes that do not close on their own may need to be closed surgically via open-heart surgery or catheter-based procedures.
The size of the hole and whether or not the hole is repaired are two of the many variables that affect life expectancy. Repair time is also important. According to research, those who have their heart holes repaired early in life have a better prognosis.
Yes, smaller holes, less than 5 mm in size, usually close on their own naturally. The larger ones may require medical treatment for closure.
Babies born with small holes in the heart may just need regular checkups and medications to treat any symptoms. However, if the heart holes are medium to large, then the only treatment option is surgery.
The treatment of structural abnormalities like a hole in the heart, often known as a congenital heart defect, usually involves surgery. There is no proven natural treatment for this condition, although some milder cases might not need surgery and the symptoms can be managed with medicine and lifestyle adjustments.
Smaller holes in the heart might never be problematic, but medium or large heart holes can cause complications such as:
Heart failure
Endocarditis
Heart valve disease
Arrhythmias
Eisenmenger syndrome
If you or your child has a hole in the heart, your doctor may advise making some lifestyle modifications to maintain heart health and prevent complications, such as:
Practicing safe exercises
Sports and activity restrictions
Maintaining a healthy weight
If you have a hole in your heart that has not been repaired, then you should avoid certain strenuous activities to prevent getting short of breath and fatigued. Also, it might be advisable to avoid going at a high altitude or scuba diving as a change in altitude may cause concern.
Many advancements have been made in this field in recent years. Open-heart surgery was the only option earlier. However, nowadays, innovative catheter-based procedures are frequently used to close the holes in the heart. These are much safer and minimally invasive techniques, has shorter recovery time, and are less expensive than open-heart surgeries.
Early detection and prompt treatment for holes in the heart is of paramount importance and is a game changer in increasing the life expectancy and quality of life of patients. It also helps in the prevention of complications.
Without proper treatment, a hole in the heart may even cause death. This may happen because, in the long run, it can result in life-threatening complications such as pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, lung failure, or arrhythmia.
If treated early, most children and adults with congenital cardiac defects can live a normal, healthy life with no reduction in lifespan. They may only need intermittent follow-ups with a cardiologist.
All the articles on HexaHealth are supported by verified medically-recognized sources such as; peer-reviewed academic research papers, research institutions, and medical journals. Our medical reviewers also check references of the articles to prioritize accuracy and relevance. Refer to our detailed editorial policy for more information.
Last Updated on: 4 July 2024
MBBS, DNB General Surgery, Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery, FIAGES
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