“Hidden Hole” in the Heart: Could You Be Unaware?

Some people grow up never realizing they were born with a heart defect — until one day; their body starts sending signals like feeling unusually fatigued, palpitations, chest tightness, or shortness of breath during physical activity, even at a young age.

An Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is a congenital heart condition where there’s a hole in the wall (septum) that separates the left and right atria of the heart. Many people with this condition are unaware of it because symptoms may not appear in childhood and tend to become noticeable only as they get older. Without proper treatment, ASD can lead to complications such as enlarged heart, pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, heart arrhythmia, or in some cases, a stroke may be the first noticeable sign.

Diagnosis of ASD includes a review of medical history, physical examination, and initial laboratory tests such as electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, and echocardiography — either Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE) or Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) for a clearer view.

Treatment options for ASD are divided into four approaches:

1. Monitor Only: For patients with very small defects who have no symptoms or complications, regular check-ups and echocardiograms may be sufficient. Preventive antibiotics may be recommended before dental or high-risk procedures to reduce the risk of infection.
2. Medication: Manage symptoms of heart failure or control heart arrhythmia, if present.
3. Surgery: Recommended for large or multiple defects that cannot be closed using catheter-based techniques. This requires a hospital stay for post-operative recovery.
4. Transcatheter ASD Closure: A minimally invasive procedure that closes the hole in the septum using a special device inserted through a vein in the groin. This method does not use the open-heart surgery approach, it involves a small groin incision, reduces surgical risks, and enables faster recovery.

Early signs of heart conditions are often easy to miss. If you have a family history of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) or are experiencing unusual symptoms, a quick heart screening could help prevent serious complications in the future.

For more information, please contact

Cardiac Center, Vejthani Hospital
Call: (+66)2-734-0000 Ext. 5300
English Hotline: (+66)85-223-8888