What is the most common complication found in patients with an atrial septal defect?
A large atrial septal defect can cause extra blood to overfill the lungs and overwork the right side of the heart. If not treated, the right side of the heart eventually grows larger and becomes weak. The blood pressure in the arteries in the lungs can also increase, leading to pulmonary hypertension.
What happens when you have atrial septal defect?
If one of these openings does not close, a hole is left, and it is called an atrial septal defect. The hole increases the amount of blood that flows through the lungs and over time, it may cause damage to the blood vessels in the lungs.
What is the most common cause of atrial septal defect?
Most congenital heart defects are likely caused by a combination of genetics and factors involving the mother while she is pregnant, such as use of alcohol and street drugs, as well as diseases such as diabetes, lupus and rubella. About 10 percent of congenital heart problems are caused by specific genetic defects.
What are the 4 types of atrial septal defect?
There are four major types of atrial septal defects:
- Ostium secundum atrial septal defect. This is the most common atrial septal defect, affecting over two-thirds of people with atrial septal defects.
- Ostium primum atrial septal defect.
- Sinus venosus atrial septal defect.
- Coronary sinus atrial septal defect.
Is ASD life-threatening?
In severe cases, ASD can cause life-threatening effects such as chest pain, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), abnormal heart enlargement, heart fluttering (atrial fibrillation), and heart failure. Surgery may be necessary to prevent serious complications.
Can you live a normal life with a hole in your heart?
It is very possible to live with a hole in your heart, without ever realising that it’s there. A patent foramen ovale, also known as a PFO, is a hole between the left and right atria (upper chambers) of the heart that we all have when we are in the womb, but this should close shortly after we’re born.
Is ASD life threatening?
Can ASD close on its own?
The most common type of ASD may close on its own as your child grows. Once an ASD is diagnosed, your child’s cardiologist will check your child to see if the defect is closing on its own. An ASD will usually be fixed if it has not closed by the time a child starts school.
What are the 3 types of atrial septal defects?
There are 3 major types of ASDs or interatrial communications: ostium secundum, ostium primum, and sinus venosus (Figure 1A) defects. The ostium secundum is a true defect of the atrial septum and involves the region of the fossa ovalis.
Can you live a long life with a hole in your heart?
Can you live long with atrial septal defect?
Even if unrepaired, this defect is often compatible with prolonged survival into adulthood. Studies of patients with an unrepaired secundum atrial septal defect indicate that their average age at death was 39 to 49 years.
Can you play sports with a hole in your heart?
3. Those with an ASD and mild pulmonary hypertension can participate in low-intensity sports. Any athlete with ASD and associated cyanosis and large right-to-left shunt cannot participate in competitive sports.