Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
147 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Hole In The Heart. Episode Of Breathlessness. Will This Affect The Life Expectancy?

Hello , my big brother has a small hole in his heart , i found out today as i was reading some of his papers , i dont know how big the hole is but he has known about it for 3 years , and goes to the hospital 2 times a year because he becomes breathless . All i wanted to ask does this little hole in his heart effect his life expectancy?
posted on Mon, 13 Aug 2012
Twitter Wed, 29 Aug 2012 Answered on
Twitter Sat, 16 Mar 2013 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hi,
How old is your brother? and exactly what kind of hole in the heart must be known to know about the prognosis. Commonly ASD and VSD( Atrial and Vetricular Septal defect) are referred as hole in the heart.
The patients of such defect have increased chances for Respiratory or chest infection as compared to normal ones. Which may be the cause for his breathlessness and visit to hospital.
If size of hole is small it may close naturally but if age is more and hole is big then surgical repair is advised which can cure the patient. Be in follow up of your Cardiologist if surgery is required or not.
I find this answer helpful
Cardiologist,  Dr. Hemant Kumar's  Response
you are talking small hole, but it is unlike to produce symptoms by small hole
you are saying he had hospitalised twice /year , then go for operation
it will affect life expectancy and growth of your brother
i will better explain about prognosis if you will tell which hole is there( ASD/PDA/VSD) and size of hole
I find this answer helpful

1 Doctor agrees with this answer

Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Recent questions on Ischemic heart disease


Loading Online Doctors....
Hole In The Heart. Episode Of Breathlessness. Will This Affect The Life Expectancy?

Hi, How old is your brother? and exactly what kind of hole in the heart must be known to know about the prognosis. Commonly ASD and VSD( Atrial and Vetricular Septal defect) are referred as hole in the heart. The patients of such defect have increased chances for Respiratory or chest infection as compared to normal ones. Which may be the cause for his breathlessness and visit to hospital. If size of hole is small it may close naturally but if age is more and hole is big then surgical repair is advised which can cure the patient. Be in follow up of your Cardiologist if surgery is required or not.