I recently was hospitalized for something unrelated, but during my treatment, I was given a transesophageal echocardiogram that recorded a hole in my heart. The care team at the hospital where I was being treated said there are no ways to close or repair the hole. Is that true? Or should I seek a second opinion?
ANSWER: Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect, affecting approximately 1 in every 100 or more babies. Although not all heart issues are identified at birth, a hole in the heart is a common ailment, and there are several types of holes in the heart that could be detected with a transesophageal echocardiogram.
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