Atrial septal defects

An atrial septal defect (ASD) is sometimes called a “hole in the heart.” It is actually a hole in the septum, the wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart (the left and right atria). This allows abnormal blood flow from the left atrium to the right, which puts extra burden on the right atrium.

Atrial septal defects may have complications, including

• atrial fibrillation 
• pulmonary hypertension 
• increased risk of stroke
• endocarditis (a bacterial infection of the heart)
• heart failure 

Risk factors

Atrial septal defects (ASD) are a type of heart defect present at birth. Atrial septal defects are more common in girls than in boys. Four out of 100,000 people have ASD. If the defect is small, it may not be detected until adulthood.

Symptoms

People who have small defects may have no symptoms, or symptoms that don’t appear until later in life. Symptoms may include:

• frequent respiratory infections (in children)
• difficulty breathing
• shortness of breath during activity
• palpitations or feeling the heart beat
• stroke