- Male
- 14 Years
- 29/01/2025
Could a heart hole that my cousin had as a baby still be an issue now that he's 14 years old? Should we be worried about any lingering effects, or is it likely that it closed up on its own over time?
Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors
It is possible that your cousin still has a heart hole, also known as a congenital heart defect. To determine if the hole is still present, he would need to undergo medical evaluation, which may include imaging tests such as an echocardiogram. Treatment options for a heart hole may include medications such as aspirin or blood thinners, and in some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary. It is important for your cousin to follow up with a cardiologist for further assessment and management.
Dr. Ibrahim Suggests...
Consult a Cardiologist
Answered 04/07/2025
0
0
Ask Apollo
AI powered Health Chatbot
-
Heart Hole Overview
A heart hole, such as an atrial septal defect (ASD) or ventricular septal defect (VSD), can sometimes close on its own during childhood. -
Potential Lingering Effects
- Some defects may persist.
- Symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, or frequent respiratory infections could indicate issues.
-
Recommendation
- Follow-up with a cardiologist is crucial to assess current heart function.
- Many children with small defects do well without complications.
-
Reassurance
- It's common for small defects to resolve naturally, but monitoring is important to ensure your cousin's health.
Recommended next steps
Consult a Paediatric Cardiologist
Answered 20/08/2025
0
0
More Cardiology Health Queries
View allI'm a bit concerned about my heart rate when I'm sleeping. At night, it sometimes goes as high as 115 beats per minute, but during the day, it's more like 85 BPM. I don't have any other health conditions right now. Should I be worried about this change in heart rate between day and night? Is it normal?
Heart beat rise during sleep in night up to 115 beats per minute is known as nocturnal tachycardia. This can be due to various reasons such as stress, anxiety, caffeine intake, or even certain medications. Since you do not have any other existing conditions, I recommend monitoring your caffeine intake and practicing relaxation techniques before bedtime. If the issue persists, you can consider taking a beta-blocker medication like Metoprolol, starting with a low dose of 25mg once daily in the morning. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new medication.
Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors
My mom has been in the hospital for a few days with chest and left arm pain, and the doctors are saying her ejection fraction is really low. Theyve mentioned theres no definite treatment beyond the medication she's on, and theyre not sure about her life expectancy. Im really worried. Is there any other treatment available, like pacemakers or maybe even a transplant? How does a low ejection fraction, like 28, affect life expectancy?
With an ejection fraction of 28%, your mother is experiencing heart failure. In cases where medication alone is not sufficient, treatment options such as implanting a pacemaker or considering heart transplantation may be considered. Pacemakers can help regulate the heart's rhythm and improve its function. In more severe cases, heart transplantation may be recommended. Medications that are commonly used to manage heart failure and improve ejection fraction include: - ACE inhibitors (e.g., Enalapril) - Dosage: as prescribed by the doctor - Beta blockers (e.g., Metoprolol) - Dosage: as prescribed by the doctor - Diuretics (e.g., Furosemide) - Dosage: as prescribed by the doctor - Aldosterone antagonists (e.g., Spironolactone) - Dosage: as prescribed by the doctor It is important to follow the treatment plan outlined by the healthcare team and make lifestyle changes to manage heart failure effectively. As for life expectancy, it can vary depending on various factors, including the underlying cause of heart failure, overall health, and response to treatment. It is best to discuss this in detail with your healthcare provider.
Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors
What is a heart cough?
Heavy breathing accompanied by spells of wet cough with frothy sputum that may be tinged with blood is called as "Cardiac cough or Heart cough". It is a sign of congestive heart failure. Additional symptoms such as shortness of breath on exertion or rest, leg swelling, waking up from sleep in the middle of night gasping and coughing differentiate heart cough from cough due to lung conditions.
Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors
Health Articles for you
View all
Disclaimer: Answers on Apollo 247 are not intended to replace your doctor advice. Always seek help of a professional doctor in case of an medical emergency or ailment.