How long can an adult with atrial septal defect live?

The survival time of adults with atrial septal defect is closely related to the size of the defect, complications and timely treatment. Failure to intervene in time may affect the quality of life and even life expectancy.

Atrial septal defect refers to an abnormal opening in the atrial septum of the heart, which causes abnormal blood flow between the left and right atria. This problem may not be obvious in the fetus, but unhealed defects will increase the burden on the heart and lungs in adulthood, causing arrhythmia, right heart failure or pulmonary hypertension.

For small atrial septal defects, some people may not have obvious symptoms throughout their lives, but larger defects are more dangerous. If the defect is large, especially if it is not repaired surgically, symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath or chest pain will appear as you age, and even shorten your life in middle and old age. After timely interventional surgery or surgical repair, the possibility of normal life and longevity is higher.

If an atrial septal defect has been diagnosed and not treated, a cardiologist should be consulted as soon as possible to develop a treatment plan based on the size of the defect and accompanying conditions. After surgical repair, patients need to have regular check-ups and maintain cardiopulmonary health, avoiding risks such as strenuous exercise or infection that may threaten heart function.