Q. Is 7 holes in a heart a problem?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
The answer to whether 7 holes in a heart is a problem depends on the context. Generally speaking, having more than 4 chambers or atria and 6 great vessels can be an indication of congenital heart disease. Specifically, having 7 holes (or 5 if only considering the number of major vessels) often indicates the presence of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
A PDA is an abnormally open artery that connects the pulmonary artery to the descending aorta. If not treated promptly this connection can cause various problems such as diminished oxygen supply to major organs, congestive heart failure and arrhythmias. Infections related to this condition may also lead to stroke or other health complications for those affected.
In most cases, treatment for PDA involves either medications which help close off the extra vessel or surgical repair done using cardiac catheterization techniques - depending upon what doctors decide is best for each case. As long as it's properly treated early on, then there shouldn't be any serious long-term effects associated with having 7 holes in one's heart!