Atrial septal defect: symptoms, treatment, etc. • hello healthy

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Definition

What is an atrial septal defect (leakage of the heart chambers)?

Atrial septal defect or atrial septal defect is a rare congenital heart defect. This condition occurs where 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 side. However, an atrial septal defect results in abnormal left-to-right blood flow through the opening in the septum, allowing blood from both sides of the heart to mix.

As a result, blood that contains less oxygen is pumped to the body, and blood with high oxygen moves back to the lungs. This abnormal circulation in the right side of the circulatory system causes increased pressure on the lungs (pulmonary hypertension).

How common is an atrial septal defect (leakage of the heart chambers)?

Atrial septal defect is a congenital heart defect that is common in infants and children. This heart septal defect cannot be prevented and is more common in girls than boys.

Some defects may disappear as a child grows, but in other cases it may persist into adulthood. You can limit your children's chances of developing this disease by reducing your risk factors. Please discuss with your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of an atrial septal defect (leakage of the heart chambers)?

Some babies are born without new symptoms and symptoms appear in childhood. Some other babies show symptoms right away when they are born and need immediate action. There are also those who do not show symptoms until they are adults or even old age.

Even so, some of the typical symptoms of atrial septal defect are:

• Shortness of breath during activity
• Tiring easily
• Swelling of the legs and abdomen
• Respiratory infections are common in children
• Feel the heart palpitations (palpitations) in an adult

There may be some signs or symptoms not listed above. If you have any concerns about 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
• Tiring easily, especially after doing activities
• Swelling of the legs or abdomen
• Heart palpitations or there is a beat sometimes stops

Heart failure or complications of congenital heart disease are very dangerous and require immediate medical assistance. These symptoms can be signs or symptoms of heart failure or other complications of congenital heart disease.

Cause

What causes atrial septal defect (leakage of the heart chambers)?

The cause of heart defects such as atrial septal atria among most babies is unknown. Some babies have heart defects due to genetics or other factors in the mother during pregnancy, for example:

• Environment
• Infection
• Several types of drugs

Risk factors

What increases my risk of an atrial septal defect (leakage of the heart chambers)?

Some conditions that can increase a person to have an atrial septal defect are:

• Rubella infection. Getting rubella (German measles) infection during the first few months of pregnancy can increase the risk of your fetus developing a heart defect.
• 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 likely to have a baby with a heart defect.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are my treatment options for atrial septal defect (leakage of the heart chambers)?

If a child is diagnosed with an atrial septal defect, the health care provider may be able to monitor it for a while to see if the hole can close on its own.

An atrial septal defect may not require treatment if there are few or no symptoms, or if the defect is small and unrelated to other disorders. However, if the defect causes large amounts of mixing of blood, swollen heart, or other symptoms, your children may need treatment. Some of the treatment methods for treating atrial septal defects are:

Drugs

Medicines will not repair the hole, but can be used to reduce some of the signs and symptoms that can accompany an atrial septal defect. This medicine may also be used to reduce the risk of complications after surgery. In addition, drugs are also used to maintain a regular heart rate (beta blockers) or to reduce the risk of blood clots (anticoagulants).

Surgery

Your doctor may recommend surgery to repair medium to large sized atrial septal defects. Atrial septal defects can be repaired using these two methods:

• Cardiac catheterization. In this procedure, your doctor inserts a thin tube (catheter) into a blood vessel in your groin and guides it to your heart using imaging techniques. 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 defect (leakage of the heart chambers)?

The doctor will check how large and severe the atrial septal defect is based on symptoms, physical examination, and heart test results. Some of the tests that doctors usually do to diagnose atrial septal defects are:

• The doctor may hear an abnormal heartbeat when examining the patient's chest with a stethoscope. A rustle can be heard but only in certain postures. Sometimes, the rustle can be completely muted. If you hear a rustle, it means that blood is not flowing through the heart properly.
• A physical exam may also show signs of heart failure in some adults.
• An echocardiogram (EKG) is a test that uses sound waves to produce a motion picture of the heart. This test will usually be done first.

Other tests that may be done to diagnose an atrial septal defect are:

• Cardiac catheterization
• Coronary angiography (for patients over 35 years)
• Doppler study of the heart
• ECG
• MRI of the heart
• Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat an atrial septal defect (leakage of the heart chambers)?

Some of the lifestyle and home remedies that can help you treat an atrial septal defect are:

• Sports. Having an atrial septal defect does not restrict you from activities or sports. But before exercising, consult your doctor first to find out what sports or activities are safe to do.
• Watch your food intake. A heart-healthy diet of fruits, vegetables and 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.
• Routine consultation with a doctor. This is done to monitor the progress of your condition and prevent serious complications.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.