Atrial septal defect: 5 things you may not know

An atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of the most common congenital heart defects. This defect occurs when the septum that separates the two upper chambers of the heart, the atria, does not develop properly. This results in a hole in the septum that allows blood to flow between the two atria.

While ASD is a common condition, there are some things that you may not know about it. In this article, we will discuss 5 things you may not know about ASD.

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1. ASD may not cause any symptoms

In many cases, ASD does not cause any symptoms. In fact, the condition may not be diagnosed until the child grows older and develops complications.

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2. ASD may not need treatment

If the ASD is small, it may not need treatment. In these cases, the hole may close on its own in childhood.

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3. ASD may cause serious complications

If the ASD is large, it can cause serious complications, such as:

Heart failure
Arrhythmia
Stroke

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4. ASD may be hereditary

In some cases, ASD is hereditary. If one parent has ASD, the child's risk of developing it is higher.

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5. ASD may be associated with other conditions

In some cases, ASD may be associated with other conditions, such as:

Down syndrome
Turner syndrome
Rett syndrome

Conclusion:

ASD is a common condition that can cause a variety of symptoms. It is important to be aware of this information so that you can make informed decisions about your child's care.