What should be paid attention to daily with an atrial septal defect?

Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
Updated on November 27, 2024
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If the patient has an atrial septal defect, it is advised that the patient should adhere to a light diet and regularly visit the hospital for electrocardiogram and echocardiography checks. If the defect is relatively large, I personally recommend surgical treatment for the patient, as it can effectively alleviate the current condition. After all, while drug treatment has some effect, there is a risk of recurrence. Surgery can permanently treat atrial septal defects and improve the patient’s symptoms. If the patient experiences difficulty breathing, this needs to be addressed. Additionally, it is important to keep warm, avoid catching cold, and monitor changes in the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Can people with atrial septal defect go to the plateau?

A mild atrial septal defect, such as one smaller than 3mm, allows for a normal life without any impact. In fact, some people only discover this condition during medical exams in their seventies or eighties. Therefore, it is safe for these individuals to travel to high altitudes. However, a larger atrial septal defect often causes symptoms like tightness in the chest, palpitations, and difficulty breathing after hypoxia or intense exercise. These patients have poorer compensatory abilities and are advised against going to high altitudes to avoid high altitude sickness. If such patients need to go to high altitude, it is recommended that they consider surgery before doing so.

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Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
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Can medication be taken for atrial septal defect?

Patients with small atrial septal defects and no related symptoms, pulmonary hypertension, or ventricular enlargement generally do not need specific medication. If symptoms do occur, interventional or surgical treatment should be chosen. Medication is necessary only if there is accompanying heart failure, pulmonary infection, or arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. In the case of infections like pneumonia or infective endocarditis, appropriate antibiotics or antiviral medications should be actively used. When heart failure occurs, medications to control arrhythmias, such as vasodilators, diuretics, and agents to control ventricular rate, are required.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Can babies with ventricular septal defect sleep on their stomachs?

If the child has an atrial septal defect, it is not recommended for them to sleep on their stomach because this position can increase the burden on the heart, leading to an overload of the heart. This is a type of congenital heart disease. Currently, surgical treatment is primarily recommended, as early surgical intervention can alleviate the symptoms in children. Patients with ventricular septal defects typically display signs of ischemia and hypoxia, which can affect a child’s growth and development. It is advised to periodically re-examine the heart through echocardiography. If the defect is relatively large, early surgical treatment is recommended. It is also important to actively prevent upper respiratory infections, which can be beneficial for the child. In terms of sleeping posture, it is not recommended to sleep on the stomach; the best position is lying on the left side, as this can help alleviate the burden on the child’s heart.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Is a ventricular septal defect with pulmonary hypertension mild or severe?

The most common complication of atrial septal defect is pulmonary hypertension, which can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Generally, mild pulmonary hypertension is not a major issue and is not considered very serious. However, moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension often accompanies repeated coughing, shortness of breath after exercise, or difficulty breathing. This situation is relatively serious and it is advisable to undergo surgery as soon as possible. If the condition reaches a severe stage, pulmonary hypertension could continuously increase. Furthermore, in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension, closing the atrial septum can lead to severe breathing difficulties and increased shortness of breath. Therefore, it is crucial to closely monitor patients with pulmonary hypertension.

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Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
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What are the symptoms of an atrial septal defect?

Atrial septal defect is the most common congenital heart disease in adults, accounting for 20%-30% of adult congenital heart diseases, with a higher incidence in females than males, with a male to female ratio of about 1:1.5-3. There is also a familial tendency. Apart from larger defects, children with atrial septal defects generally show no symptoms. As they age, symptoms gradually appear, with exertional dyspnea being the main symptom, followed by supraventricular arrhythmias, especially atrial flutter and fibrillation, which exacerbate the symptoms. Some patients may develop right heart failure due to excessive right ventricular volume load. In the late stages, about 15% of patients develop severe pulmonary hypertension, resulting in a right-to-left shunt and cyanosis.