Ventricular Septal Defects Learning Center

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Welcome

Ventricular septal defect describes one or more holes in the wall that separates the right and left ventricles of the heart. Ventricular septal defect is one of the most common congenital (present from birth) heart defe...

Basic Info

Symptoms
Shortness of breath; Fast breathing; Hard breathing; Paleness; Failure to gain weight; Fast heart rate; Pounding heart;...
Causes
Before a baby is born, the right and left ventricles of its heart are not separate. As the fetus grows, a wall forms to...
Tests
Listening with a stethoscope usually reveals a heart murmur (the sound of the blood crossing the hole. The loudness of ...
Treatments
If the defect is small, no treatment is usually needed. However, the baby should be closely monitored by a health care ...
Drugs
  • chlorthalidone
  • digoxin
  • hydrochlorothiazide
Risk Factors
  • Congenital Heart Defects
  • Family History of Ventricular Septal Defects
  • Infants
Complications
Congestive heart failure; Infective endocarditis (bacterial infection of the heart; Aortic insufficiency (leaking of th...
Prevention
Except for the case of heart attack associated VSD, this condition is always present at birth. Drinking alcohol and usi...
Doctor Specialties
Most often, this condition is diagnosed during routine examination of an infant. Call your infant's health care provide...

Basic Info

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