Hole in the Heart? What is it, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment?

‘Hole in the heart’ or ‘ventricular septal defect’ you might have come across this term very often. You might have heard this problem in newborn babies because a ‘hole in the heart’ or septal defect is the most common birth defect. It is the most common disorder worldwide but the incidence and mortality of congenital heart disorder vary worldwide.

A hole in the heart or ventricular septal defect is a type of congenital heart defect. The term ‘congenial’ itself means the condition is present from birth. There are many types of Ventricular Septal defects depending upon their location in the heart and the size of the defect. Unfortunately, it is commonly believed that these defects close spontaneously as the child grows which is not the case. Some types need to be treated and there are Top Cardiac Hospitals in India that treat this disorder. Let us see the types of Ventricular Septal Defects.

Types of VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect):

1. Membranous VSD: It is an opening in the particular area of the upper section of the ventricular septum which is present near the valves. This type is the most commonly operated VSD.
2. Muscular VSD: This VSD is the opening in the muscular portion of the lower section of the ventricular septum. A large number of these types of VSDs close on their own and do not require surgery.
3. Atrioventricular Canal Type VSD: This VSD is associated with an atrioventricular canal defect and is located underneath the tricuspid and mitral valves. This type of defect requires surgery whether they are diagnosed in childhood and adulthood.
4. Conal Septal Defect: It is the rarest of VSDs which occur in the ventricular septum just below the pulmonary valve and could be treated surgically. 

Some of the types can close spontaneously with age but some of them would need surgical intervention. So, it is very important to consult the best cardiologist in India to understand which defects will need surgical intervention. 

What Are The Symptoms of This Defect?

The tendency to develop these defects may be due to Genetic syndrome. But this defect has no signs or symptoms that can be seen in the early stage but later on, in adulthood you may experience.

• Shortness of breath while exercising.
• Fatigue.
• Swollen legs, feet, or abdomen.
• Stroke
• The murmuring sound in the heart, an extra noise that can be heard by doctors through a stethoscope.

If you find any of these symptoms frequently, immediately consult a cardiologist. If you face any difficulty in consulting a cardiologist in your country you can consult a cardiologist in India online. The advanced technology enables you to reach the doctors from your location.  

What Are The Common Causes of the Hole in The Heart Defect?

Genetic Disorder: A higher chance of a child getting a septal defect if any of the parents has a congenital heart defect. Well, not every child needs to be born with such a defect but chances cannot be neglected.  

Hereditary Disorder: A hereditary disorder like Down Syndrome creates chances in children to have heart defects from birth. For such cases consult the pediatric cardiac treatment in India.

Smoking: The mothers who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to deliver a child with heart defects. Well, it is not always necessary but few congenital heart defects arise from errors early in the heart’s development. 

How is the heart defect diagnosed?
The doctors will ask you to get:

• Chest X-ray 
• Pulse oximetry 
• Cardiac catheterization
• Electrocardiograph testing (ECG)
• MRI
• Ultrasound testing

What Are The Treatments Done for This Condition?

A hole in the heart causes many deaths but due to the advancements in health care, the mortality rate has gone down. There are various types of treatment given as per the age of child or adult. As discussed some defects close on their own for some that needs treatment includes:

Medications:

You will be wondering how medication can close the hole it cannot, but it can be used to reduce some of the signs that accompany atrial septal defect. Medical drugs may also be used to reduce complications after surgery and also to reduce the risk of blood clots.

Surgery:

Some doctors recommend surgery to repair a medium to large atrial septal defect diagnosed during childhood or adulthood to prevent complications. For some cases, surgery won’t be recommended if you have severe pulmonary hypertension because it can make the condition worse. 

For children and adults, surgery involves sewing closed or patching the abnormal opening between the atria. In such cases, after evaluating the condition the doctor will choose the procedures from cardiac catheterization or open-heart surgery.

The Bottom Line:

The hole in the heart is no longer a big problem, due to the advanced treatments available. The newborn baby who is diagnosed with a hole in the heart leaves the parents in a dilemma. One thing the parents have to understand is if the defects are left untreated then there is a higher chance of complications in the future. It is always better to consult the doctor before it is late and if you are facing trouble seeing the doctor near, you can even try online video consultation in India. Now, there are several ways to save your child before things get worse.