Atrial Septal Defect

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• An atrial (A-tree-ull) septal (SEP-tull) defect is a hole in a wall inside the heart. This is also called an ASD. ASD is a common heart defect that babies are born with. The heart has 4 chambers or rooms called the atria (A-tree-uh) and the ventricles (VEN-trik-ulls). With an ASD, there is a hole in the wall between the 2 upper chambers, the right and left atria. This hole may be small or large. With an ASD, blood does not flow through the heart in the normal way. Your heart and lungs must work harder because of this.
  
  
• Usually an ASD is found when a child is young. Sometimes the ASD is very small and is not noticed until the person has grown up. Some of the symptoms of an ASD are shortness of breath and fatigue (tiredness). A baby or child with an ASD may grow too slowly and have trouble gaining weight. Tests will be done to learn more about your heart and the ASD. Some people with an ASD need open heart surgery to have the hole closed. Surgery is usually done as an infant or young child. Sometimes the hole closes on its own so surgery is not needed.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Always take your medicine as directed by your caregiver. If you think it is not helping or if you feel you are having side effects, call your caregiver. Do not quit taking it until you discuss it with your caregiver.
  
  
• Keep a written list of what medicines you are taking and when you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregiver(s). Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicines.
  
  
• Carry a card in your wallet or purse that tells about your heart problem. On the back of the card, list all the medicines you are taking. This information will help caregivers if you ever have an emergency.
  
  
• Aspirin helps thin the blood to keep blood clots from forming. If caregivers want you to take aspirin daily, do not take acetaminophen (uh-c-tuh-MIN-o-fin) or ibuprofen (i-bew-PRO-fin) instead. Do not give a child aspirin or any medicines with aspirin if he is less than 18 years old. Giving aspirin to your child when he is ill may cause a very serious illness called Reye's syndrome. Read medicine labels to see if your child's medicine has aspirin in it.
  
  
• Blood Thinner Medicine: You may be given blood-thinning medicine, which keeps clots from forming in the blood. Clots can cause strokes and death. Blood thinners may be taken by mouth or as a shot. Blood thinners may make it easier to bleed or bruise. Ask your caregiver about special care that you need to take when on blood thinners.
  
  
• Antibiotics (an-ti-bi-AH-tiks): You may be given antibiotics before having dental care or other procedures. Taking antibiotics first may help prevent bacterial (bak-TEER-e-ull) endocarditis (end-o-kar-DI-tis) which is an infection in the heart. When you take antibiotics, take them until they are all gone. Always remind your dentist and other caregivers that you have an ASD before procedures are done on you.
  
  
• Diuretics (di-u-REH-tiks): You may be given diuretics or "water pills". Diuretics help get rid of extra fluid in your body and lungs. This can help you breathe easier. Diuretics make you urinate more often. This medicine can be given as a pill or in an IV.
  
  
• Heart Medicine: You may be given heart medicine to make your heart beat better or more regularly. There are many different kinds of heart medicines. Talk with your caregiver to find out what your medicine is and why you are taking it.

Appointment:

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Activity:

• If you have ASD symptoms, you may feel like resting. Match your activity to the amount of energy you have. Make sure you rest when you need to. Making sure you go to bed early and get up late may also help. If you are short of breath or feeling tired, you may not be able to do heavy exercise or sports. Ask your caregiver if you have questions about the symptoms of ASD.
  
  
• Talk to your caregiver before you start exercising. Together you can plan the best exercise program for you. It is best to start slowly and do more as you feel stronger.

Support:

• ASD can be life-changing for you and your family. Accepting that you have an ASD is hard. You and those close to you may feel angry, sad, or frightened. These feelings are normal. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. Let them help you. Encourage those close to you to talk to your caregiver about how things are at home. Your caregiver can help your family better understand how to support a person with ASD.
  
  
• You may also want to join a support group. This is a group of people who also have ASD problems. Ask your caregiver for the names and numbers of support groups in your town. You can contact the following national organization for more information.
  
  
• • American Heart Association
    7272 Greenville Avenue
    Dallas , TX 75231-4596
    Phone: 1- 800 - 242-8721
    Web Address: http://www.heart.org
    

Wellness Hints:

• Eat healthy foods from all of the 5 food groups: fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, meat and fish. Eating healthy foods may help you feel better and have more energy. Ask your caregiver if you need to be on a special diet.
  
  
• It is never too late to quit smoking if you smoke. Smoking harms the heart, lungs, and the blood. You are more likely to have a heart attack, lung disease, and cancer if you smoke. You will help yourself and those around you by not smoking. Ask your caregiver for the CareNotes™ handout on how to stop smoking if you are having trouble quitting.
  
  
• Stress may slow healing and cause illness later. Since it is hard to avoid stress, learn to control it. Learn new ways to relax (deep breathing, relaxing muscles, meditation, or biofeedback). Talk to your caregiver about things that upset you.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have chills, a cough, or feel weak and achy. These are signs that you may have an infection.
  
  
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash. This may mean you are allergic (uh-LER-jik) to your medicine.
  
  
• Your ASD symptoms come back or get worse.
  
  
• You feel your heartbeat and it is not regular.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your ASD or medicine.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have trouble breathing all of a sudden. This could be a sign that you have a blood clot in your lung. It could also mean that you are allergic to a medicine you are taking.
  
  
• You have weakness or numbness in an arm, leg, or on your face. This can be a sign of a stroke.
  
  
• Call 911 or 0 (operator) for an ambulance to get to the nearest hospital or clinic if:
  
  
  • The skin between the ribs is being sucked in with each breath.
    
    
  • Lips or nailbeds are a blue or white color.

Learn more about Atrial Septal Defect (Discharge Care)