ASD: ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFFECT

What is ASD?

According to my doctor ASD means Atrial Septal Deffect it is also called "Hole in Heart". It is a defect of the atria for atrial and defect of the septa for septal. Atria is a chamber of the heart which receives the blood as it returns to the heart while the septa or septum is the dividing wall between the left side and right side of the heart.If there is atrial septal defect there will be an abnormal blood circulation the problem is that the oxygenated blood may leak to the left side of the blood and may return to the lungs and this would displace the blood that needs oxygen.The hole in the heart must be covered so that there will be no leaking and there will be a proper blood circulation. Atrial Septal defect will also damage the Lungs because of inefficient blood flow to the lungs this may result to increase lung pressure. If there is too much pressure on the lungs, the lungs might collapse and this would cause death.

What are the symptoms of ASD?

As for me, I didn't suffer any symptoms of ASD except for back pains.
But here are some symptoms of ASD according to my doctors:

• shortness of breath


• cyanosis ( blue skin, fingernails and lips)


• easily fatigue


• faint


• back pains

What are the possible diagnostic test to know you have ASD?

Well the possible diagnostic test for ASD are Chest X-Ray, Ultrasound and TEE ( Transesophageal echocardiogram).