What Is An Atrial Septal Defect?
Atrial Septal Defect is a congenital heart condition. This condition occurs when there is a hole in the septum that separates the left and right atria. The left side of the heart usually pumps blood more strongly than the right. The defect produces a left-to-right pathway that allows blood from both sides of the heart to mix. Blood with less oxygen is pumped into the body, and blood with high oxygen moves back to the lungs. Abnormal circulation in the right side of the system causes increased pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension).
How common is an atrial septal defect?
An atrial septal defect is a common congenital heart defect in adults. This heart septal defect is not preventable and is more common in girls than boys.
Some defects may go away as a child grows, but in other cases, they may persist into adulthood. You can limit the chances of your children developing this disease by reducing your risk factors. Please discuss this with your doctor for more information.
Atrial Septal Defect Symptoms
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of An Atrial Septal Defect?
A person without other heart defects or minor defects (less than 5 millimeters) may have no symptoms, or symptoms do not occur until middle age or old age.
Symptoms that occur can begin shortly after birth and continue in childhood. These symptoms are:
- Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
- Frequent respiratory infections in children
- Feeling the heart beating fast (palpitations) in adults
- Shortness of breath during activity
There may be some signs or symptoms not listed above. If you have any concerns about the symptoms, please consult your doctor.
When Should I See A Doctor?
Call your doctor if you or your child have any of these signs or symptoms:
- Hard to breathe
- Easily tired, especially after doing activities
- Swelling of the legs or abdomen
- Heart palpitations or there is a pulse that sometimes stops
Heart failure or complications of congenital heart disease are very dangerous and require immediate medical attention. These symptoms can be signs or symptoms of heart failure or other complications of congenital heart disease.
Atrial Septal Defect Causes
What Causes An Atrial Septal Defect?
The cause of heart defects such as atrial septal defects among most infants is unknown. Some babies have heart defects due to genetics or the presence of other factors in the mother during pregnancy, for example:
- Environment
- Food, drink
- Several types of drugs
What Increases My Risk For Atrial Septal Defect?
Several conditions that you have or that occur during pregnancy can increase your risk of having a baby with a heart defect, including:
- Rubella infection. Getting infected with rubella (German measles) during the first few months of pregnancy can increase your baby's risk of developing heart defects
- Drugs, tobacco or alcohol, or exposure to certain substances. The use of certain drugs, tobacco, alcohol, or drugs, such as cocaine, during pregnancy can harm the developing fetus
- Diabetes or lupus. If you have diabetes or lupus, you may be more likely to have a baby with a heart defect
- Obesity. Being overweight (obese) may also play a role in increasing the risk of having a baby with birth defects
- Phenylketonuria (PKU). If you have PKU and don't follow your PKU diet, you are more likely to have a baby with a heart defect.
Atrial Septal Defect Treatment
What Are My Treatment Options For Atrial Septal Defect?
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
If a child is diagnosed with an atrial septal defect, a healthcare provider may be able to monitor it temporarily to see if the hole can close on its own.
This atrial septal defect may not require treatment if there are few or no symptoms, or if the defect is minor and unrelated to another disorder. However, if the defect causes large amounts of blood mixing, a swollen heart, or other symptoms, your children may need treatment. Some of the treatment methods include:
- Medication: Medications won't fix the hole, but they can be used to reduce some of the signs and symptoms that can accompany an atrial septal defect. This drug can also be used to reduce the risk of complications after surgery. Medications are also used to keep the heartbeat regular (beta blockers) or to reduce the risk of blood clots (anticoagulants).
- Surgery: Your doctor may recommend surgery to repair medium to large atrial septal defects. Atrial septal defects can be corrected using these two methods:
- Cardiac catheterization. In this procedure, the doctor inserts a thin tube (catheter) into a vein in the groin and guides it to the heart using an imaging technique. Through the catheter, the doctor assigns a mesh patch or plug to close the hole. Heart tissue grows around the mesh, and will permanently close the hole
- Open heart surgery. This type of surgery is performed under general anesthesia and requires the use of a heart-lung machine. Through an incision in the chest, the surgeon uses a patch to close the hole
What Are The Usual Tests For Atrial Septal Defects?
The doctor will check how big and severe the atrial septal defect is based on symptoms, a physical exam, and the results of heart tests.
The doctor may hear an abnormal heartbeat when examining the patient's chest with a stethoscope. A swish can be heard but only in certain body positions. Sometimes, the swishing may not be heard at all. If you hear a swish it means that blood is not flowing through the heart smoothly.
Physical examination may also show signs of heart failure in some adults.
An echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to produce a picture of the motion of the heart. This test will usually be done first.
Other tests that may be performed include:
- Cardiac catheterization
- Coronary angiography (for patients over 35 years)
- Doppler study of the heart
- Atrial septal defect ECG
- Cardiac MRI
- Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)
What Are Some Lifestyle Changes Or Home Remedies That Can Be Done To Treat Atrial Septal Defect?
Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with atrial septal defects:
- Sport. Having an atrial septal defect does not restrict you from activities or sports. If you have complications, such as arrhythmia, heart failure, or pulmonary hypertension, you may not be able to do some activities or exercise. Your cardiologist can help you figure out what sports or activities are safe to do
- Diet. A heart-healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and foods low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, can help you keep your heart healthy. Eating one or two servings of fish a week can also be beneficial
- Prevent infection. Some heart defects and repair defects create changes on the surface of the heart where bacteria can become deposited and grow into an infection (infective endocarditis). Atrial septal defects are generally not associated with infectious endocarditis.
If you have any questions, consult a doctor for the best solution for your problem.
Video Credit: Lecturio Medical