Consultation for Hole in Heart

How is a hole in the heart diagnosed?

Echocardiogram. This is the most commonly used test to diagnose an atrial septal defect. Sound waves are used to create pictures of the heart in motion. An echocardiogram can show how well blood is moving through the heart and heart valves.

A hole in the heart is a nonmedical term that describes a hole that forms between parts of the heart. There are many types of holes in the heart, some of which may develop before birth.

Symptoms

A hole in the heart can lead to the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. This may put stress on the side of the heart which is getting more blood flow than expected, which may cause a condition called cyanosis. Cyanosis refers to skin discoloration resulting from circulation issues of oxygenated blood.