Can adults have atrial septal defect?
Atrial septal defects are the third most common type of congenital heart defect, and among adults, they are the most common. The condition is more common in women than in men.
How common is atrial septal defect in adults?
Atrial septal defect (ASD) is the most prevalent congenital cardiac anomaly in adults1, accounting for ~35% of all congenital heart defects. Late presentation is due to the insidious development of right ventricular remodeling, with enlargement of right cardiac chambers.
Does a hole in your heart shorten your life?
Atrial septal defect, often referred to as ASD, is a common birth defect that causes a hole in the wall between the top two chambers of the heart. While ASD varies in severity, many studies have linked this condition to increased risk of complications and decreased life expectancy.
How do you fix ASD in adults?
For adults and children, atrial septal defect repair surgery involves closing the hole in the heart. This can be done two ways: Catheter-based repair. A thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel, usually in the groin, and guided to the heart using imaging techniques.
What are the symptoms of atrial septal defect in adults?
Atrial septal defect signs and symptoms can include:
- Shortness of breath, especially when exercising.
- Fatigue.
- Swelling of legs, feet or belly (abdomen)
- Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
- Sensation of a rapid, pounding heartbeat (palpitations) or skipped beats.
Can you drink alcohol with atrial septal defect?
Do not drink alcohol.
Does atrial septal defect cause weight gain?
Most kids who have ASDs seem healthy and appear to have no symptoms. Most grow and gain weight normally. Children with larger, more severe ASDs, though, might have some of these signs or symptoms: poor appetite.
How is atrial septal defect (ASD) diagnosed and treated?
Improving healthcare team outcomes in patients with atrial septal defects requires an interprofessional team with strong input from the patient’s pediatrician, primary care physician and nurse practitioner. In most cases, ASD is first diagnosed by the primary provider and the patient referred to the cardiologist.
What is an atrial septal defect?
Atrial septal defects occur with other congenital heart defects (i.e., ventricular septal defects). In some patients with congenital heart disease, communication between the left and right heart circulations is crucial for survival.
What are the possible complications of atrial septal defects in children?
Small atrial septal defects usually spontaneously close in childhood. Large defects that do not close spontaneously may require percutaneous or surgical intervention to prevent further complications such as stroke, dysrhythmias, and pulmonary hypertension.
What causes atrial septation (ASD)?
Maternal exposure to rubella and drugs, such as cocaine and alcohol can also predispose the unborn fetus to develop an ASD. Additionally, ASDs have been associated with familial genetic disorders and conduction defects. Transcription factors important during the atrial septation include GATA4, NKzX2-5, and TBX5.