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

Dr Ibrahim Salah

General Practitioner

MBBS
2+ Yrs

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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.

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Answered 04/07/2025

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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.

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Answered 20/08/2025

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I'm really concerned because my heartbeat is only 20 and I'm having trouble breathing. Can you tell me how much your EECP treatment costs? How long does the treatment usually take? And could you walk me through the whole treatment process? I'm eager to understand more about what to expect.

For your condition, EECP (Enhanced External Counterpulsation) treatment can be beneficial. The treatment fee can vary depending on the healthcare facility and location, so it's best to inquire directly at the clinic. Typically, an EECP treatment course involves 35 one-hour sessions, usually conducted over a span of 7 weeks (5 sessions per week). During the treatment process, you will be comfortably lying on a bed with large blood pressure-like cuffs wrapped around your legs. These cuffs will inflate and deflate in sync with your heartbeat to increase blood flow to your heart and improve its function. This non-invasive treatment can help improve your heart function and alleviate symptoms like shortness of breath. I hope this information helps.