What are holes in the heart called?

Holes in the heart are medical conditions called atrial and ventricular septal defects (ASD/VSD), which are openings between the two chambers of the heart that cause oxygen-rich blood to flow from one chamber to another. When this happens, it can lead to decreased oxygen levels in the blood and put additional strain on the heart's right side.

Atrial septal defects (ASDs) are present at birth and typically affect people of all ages. They often don't show any symptoms, but those who do have them may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, palpitations or chest pain. The size of an ASD varies greatly from person to person - some may close naturally over time while others require surgery.

Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) also occur when a hole develops between two chambers of the heart after birth - these tend to be larger than ASDs and can cause larger problems for newborns as they are unable to effectively pump enough oxygenated blood around their body due to increased pressure in their lungs. VSDs usually require surgical repair as well .

The good news is that most ASDs and VSDs can now be cured with surgery – however, it is important that they are diagnosed early on so treatment can begin straight away!