The very idea of a hole in the heart may sound alarming, but it’s surprisingly common. On top of that, some people may have a hole in their heart and not even realize it. In fact, the American Heart Association estimates that about a quarter of the American population has some type of hole in the heart. That’s around 82 million people!
If someone has a hole in their heart, it usually falls into one of two most common categories: patent foramen ovale (PFO) or an atrial septal defect (ASD).
While these holes may be present, they’re often left undiagnosed because they don’t typically cause any issues or symptoms. But that isn’t always the case. Larger holes in the heart may begin to cause symptoms or show up on another scan, and they can increase your risk of serious health issues and may require treatment.
What is Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)?
This type of hole in the heart is something that occurs in infancy. As a baby in utero, there is a hole in the heart tissue that separates the left and right chambers, also known as the interatrial septum. This hole is called a foramen ovale and it exists to allow blood to bypass the fetal lungs since they don’t work until exposed to air. However, once born, this hole naturally closes at birth and if it doesn’t, the hole that continues to exist is known as a PFO.
This type of hole is often small in size, and, in most cases, the only effect of a PFO is blood leaking between the right and left chambers. Unless a PFO is detected during childhood, it may go undetected for years, until a person experiences conditions like migraine or stroke that require investigation and diagnosis.
How is PFO treated?
Most PFOs require minimal treatment or none at all, and they may be left open. In some cases, you may need to close the hole, but luckily PFO closures can typically be done with a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure, rather than requiring heart surgery.
What is Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)?
An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a hole in the wall (septum) between the heart’s two upper chambers. Unlike a patent foramen ovale (PFO), a small hole that doesn’t close after birth, an ASD is a congenital heart defect, meaning the septum didn’t form properly before birth.
Symptoms & complications of Atrial Septal Defect
Small ASDs may not cause any symptoms and can go unnoticed for years. However, larger holes can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, frequent respiratory infections or a heart murmur. Over time, an untreated large ASD can place extra strain on the heart and lungs, increasing the risk of complications.
How is Atrial Septal Defect treated?
When treatment is needed, the goal is to close the hole and restore normal blood flow through the heart. At Georgia Heart Institute this is may be done through a non-surgical, catheter-based procedure, robotic heart surgery or open heart surgery.
Whenever possible, we will choose a minimally invasive approach for the repair, resulting in less pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery compared to traditional open-heart surgery. Georgia Heart Institute, in partnership with the cardiovascular surgeons of Northeast Georgia Physicians Group, is a regional leader in robotic heart surgery and offers several advanced procedures.
Structural Heart Center at Georgia Heart Institute
When there are conditions affecting the structure of the heart, like PFO or ASD, it’s essential to receive highly-specialized care that starts with a precise diagnosis and innovative treatment options. Did you know that Georgia Heart Institute has a specialized program devoted to heart valve disease and congenital heart defects? Our team offers unparalleled expertise and unique care options for those who issues with the structure of their heart. Contact our Structural Heart Center at 770-219-5242 or learn more below!