Should I be Concerned?

[Ettelra]

I have either Ventricular or Atrial Septal Defect, and I have asthma. After going to the doctor last year, she told me that the main cause of my shortness of breath was my asthma, and my weight. I am still unsure as to whether I should still be concerned, because one doctor said that basically when I exercise, one side of my heart isn't able to work as hard as the other. the VSD had been repaired surgically when I was two,and the doctors said that the repair was done very well, but that I still have the tiniest bit of blood leaking back through, so tiny that I didn't have to worry. Should I worry?

[kenkeith]

The condition you had was a hole between the upper chambers, and pressure from the chambers causes shunting of blood to the other chamber. The doctor considers the shunting is minor so that would not be a problem nor should there be any progression.

I'm not sure about the side doesn't work as hard as the other comment.  Normally, the left side works harder because has to pump blood into circulation and the right side doesn't work as hard because it pumps blood to the lungs and there is normally less resistance the heart pumps against. However, if the right side pumping chamber enlarges, that would increase the pressure on the right side and thawt increase could abnormally shunt blood from the right to left....but if the hole is tiny it shouldn't matter. The doctor who made the comment must have information that you haven't post.

Thanks for the question, and if you have any followup questions you are welcome to respond.  Take care.
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