Heart defect is usually a congenital disease and if the hole is small, it does not cause symptoms, but large holes cause symptoms such as failure to gain weight, shortness of breath, or rapid breathing.
✓What is a Heart Defect?
A heart defect is usually a congenital heart disease. A heart defect means there is an opening between the atria or ventricles of the heart. While the baby's heart is developing in the womb, the chambers may not close completely and a heart defect occurs. A heart defect can rarely develop later as well. The defect in the heart causes dirty blood and clean blood to mix with each other and the normal flow of blood is disrupted.
✓What Are the Types of Heart Defects?
Heart defect is a non-medical term used for openings that occur in the heart. A heart defect is called a "congenital septal defect." The types of heart defects vary depending on the location of the defect in the heart, but the most common types of heart defects are as follows:
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)
✓What is Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)?
Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a congenital opening in the wall between the right and left upper chambers (atria) of the heart. Due to ASD, oxygen-rich and clean blood passes from the left upper chamber to the right upper chamber. Due to atrial septal defect (ASD), the amount of blood going to the right heart and lungs increases and as a result, lung pressure rises or the right heart may enlarge. If the atrial septal defect (ASD) hole is small, it may not show symptoms and therefore may not be noticed during childhood. The symptoms of atrial septal defect (ASD) are as follows:
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Heart palpitations
Heart rhythm disorder
Atrial septal defect (ASD) can be diagnosed with echocardiography (EKO) and transesophageal echocardiography may be required for detailed imaging.
✓What is Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)?
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) is a congenital opening in the wall between the right and left lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart. Due to VSD, oxygen-rich and clean blood passes from the left lower chamber to the right lower chamber. Ventricular Septal Defect can cause heart enlargement, excessive strain on the heart, and heart failure. If the ventricular septal defect (VSD) hole is small, it may not show symptoms, so it may not be noticed during childhood and may close on its own. The symptoms of ventricular septal defect (VSD) are as follows:
Rapid breathing
Difficulty feeding
Failure to thrive
Frequent respiratory tract infections
✓What is Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)?
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) occurs as a result of an opening that should close after birth not closing. In a baby in the womb, there is a natural opening called "foramen ovale" between the right and left chambers. This opening normally closes shortly after birth, but in some babies this closure does not occur and is called patent foramen ovale (PFO). PFO is generally harmless, but sometimes it can cause problems such as stroke (cerebrovascular accident), migraine, or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Additionally, PFO can lead to complications such as blood clots and infection.
✓What Causes a Heart Defect?
The cause of a heart defect is usually unknown and is most often congenital. The causes of heart defects can be one or more of the following:
Genetic
Chromosomal anomalies
Use of certain medications
Alcoholism during pregnancy
Smoking during pregnancy
Lupus in the mother
Diabetes in the mother
✓How is a Heart Defect Diagnosed?
Heart Defect Treatment diagnosis initially begins with a murmur sound. If a cardiology specialist hears a murmur in the heart, they can suspect a defect and examine the image of the heart with EKO (echocardiography). Tests and diagnostic methods used for heart defect diagnosis are as follows:
Echocardiography (EKO)
Cardiac CT
Cardiac MRI
Chest X-ray
Stress Test (For adults)
✓How is Heart Defect Treatment and Surgery Performed?
Heart Defect Treatment varies depending on the type of the defect, its size, the patient's age, and the severity of symptoms. Small and asymptomatic heart defects usually do not require treatment and regular monitoring alone may be sufficient. Heart defect treatment methods are as follows:
Medication therapy: Heart defect medication therapy is generally not aimed at closing the heart defect, but at alleviating symptoms.
Catheter closure: Access is gained to the heart through the groin and the opening is closed with the help of a catheter.
Open-heart surgery: Large defects may require open-heart surgery and the patient is placed on a heart-lung machine. During this time, the defect is closed with the help of a patch or with stitches.
How Do I Know If I Have a Hole in My Heart?
If the hole in the heart is small, it usually does not show any symptoms, but if the hole in the heart is large, especially if it is congenital, it causes symptoms such as feeding difficulties in babies and rapid breathing, failure to gain weight, and frequent lung infections in children. In adults, a heart hole usually manifests itself with shortness of breath, fatigue, and palpitations.
What Is a Heart Murmur?
A heart murmur is a whooshing-like sound heard when listening with a stethoscope due to irregular blood flow through the heart. A cardiology specialist may suspect a hole in the heart if they hear a murmur while listening to the patient's chest with a stethoscope during physical examination. Heart murmur should be taken seriously, especially in newborns.
Is a Hole in the Heart Dangerous?
A hole in the heart can be dangerous depending on the size, location of the hole, and the symptoms it causes. Large heart holes can lead to heart failure and health problems such as stroke.
Is a Heart Hole Congenital?
Yes, a hole in the heart is mostly congenital and develops in the baby while in the mother's womb, that is, during the development of the heart. Heart diseases that develop at birth are called Congenital Heart Disease, and a heart hole is one of these diseases.
Can a Hole in the Heart Be Seen on Echo?
Echocardiography (ECHO) is the first method used for diagnosing a heart hole, but for more detailed imaging, transesophageal echo (echo performed by entering from the stomach) or contrast echo may also be preferred.
Can a Hole in the Heart Be Seen on ECG?
Electrocardiography (ECG) measures the electrical activity of the heart but does not directly show a hole in the heart. However, since heart hole types such as VSD or ASD cause the right side of the heart to enlarge, cause rhythm disturbances, or cause other electrical changes, the ECG may indicate that there is a problem in the heart.
At What Age Is Heart Hole Surgery Performed?
Heart hole surgery is generally planned according to the type and severity of the hole. If there is a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) causing severe symptoms, surgical intervention can be planned within the first 6 to 12 months after birth. If there is an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), surgery is planned between the ages of 2 and 5 because this age range is ideal for heart tissue healing. For heart holes that can be closed with catheter, the age limit is more flexible and catheter closure can usually be applied in children over 3 years of age or in adults. Heart hole surgery is determined by the decision of a specialist physician based on the patient's age, heart functions, and symptoms.
Does a Heart Hole Close Over Time?
Some small heart holes, especially ventricular septal defect (VSD), can close spontaneously during childhood. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) can close over time but can also remain open. Atrial septal defect (ASD), however, does not close over time and requires intervention.
Is Heart Hole Surgery Difficult?
Heart hole surgery can be performed in two different ways: catheter closure or open surgery. As with all surgical procedures, there is a risk of complications in heart hole surgeries.
What Happens If Heart Hole Is Not Treated?
If a heart hole is not treated, it can lead to serious complications such as heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, rhythm disturbances, and stroke over time. Large heart holes can cause the heart to work excessively and as a result lead to heart failure.
At What Age Does a Heart Hole Close?
The age at which a heart hole closes spontaneously varies depending on the type and size of the hole. While most ventricular septal defects (VSD) can close between 1-2 years of age, patent foramen ovale (PFO) type heart holes can remain open even in adulthood. Atrial septal defect (ASD) type holes generally do not close spontaneously and require medical intervention.
Can You Live With a Heart Hole?
Yes, patients with heart holes can mostly lead a healthy life. Especially patients with small holes in their heart or those who have been treated can lead a normal life. However, untreated large heart holes have a high chance of causing complications and regular follow-up and appropriate treatment are essential.