What Are Structural Heart Defects?

Structural heart defects are issues with the walls, valves, or chambers of the heart. They affect how blood moves through the heart and out to the rest of the body.

These problems may be present at birth (congenital heart disease) or develop later due to illness or aging.

Types include:

  • ASD (atrial septal defect): hole between the upper chambers
  • VSD (ventricular septal defect): hole between the lower chambers
  • BAV (bicuspid aortic valve): a valve with two flaps instead of three
  • Heart murmurs: extra heart sounds, often from valve or flow problems
  • Aortic valve problems: aortic valve calcification, sclerosis, or thickening

Together, these are called structural & valve disorders.

What Causes Structural Heart Defects?

Most cases are due to heart formation issues before birth. These are called congenital defects. Others may be caused by aging, infections, or damage to the heart.

Main causes include:

  • Congenital development issues
  • Family history
  • Valve wear over time
  • High blood pressure
  • Infections or inflammation
  • Complications after heart surgery

In some cases, heart defects may lead to congenital heart failure if untreated.

Structural Heart Defects (e.g. BAV, ASD, VSD)

Symptoms of Structural Heart Defects

Symptoms may not show up right away. But over time, the heart works harder, leading to signs such as:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Chest pain
  • Swelling in legs or feet
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Heart murmurs in adults

  • Hole in heart symptoms in adults

  • Enlargement of the heart

  • Signs of heart problems in women

These are common symptoms of heart problems, especially in cases with valve or chamber defects.

Stages of Structural Heart Disease

Like other heart problems, these defects progress in stages:

  • Early stage: small defect or mild calcified valve
  • Middle stage: enlargement of the heart, mild symptoms
  • Late stage: congenital heart failure or severe blood flow limits
  • Risk of stroke or death increases over time

Congenital heart disease stages vary by age, health, and the type of defect.

Testing and Diagnosis

Doctors use many tools to find these issues. Common methods include:

  • Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
  • EKG
  • Cardiac MRI or CT
  • Listening for heart murmurs
  • Checking for valve thickening or narrowed blood flow
  • Reviewing heart surgery scar or history of pediatric heart surgery

Some problems are found in children. Others are found later due to new symptoms or checkups.

How Are Structural Heart Defects Treated?

Treatment depends on the defect type, size, and symptoms. Here are common methods, procedures, and therapies:

  • Regular monitoring for mild cases
  • Medicine to help with blood pressure or rhythm
  • Closing ASD or VSD if needed
  • Bicuspid aortic valve replacement (often done around average age 40–60)
  • Full heart valve surgery or repair
  • Open heart surgery, with a full open heart surgery recovery timeline

After surgery for structural heart defects, many patients ask about heart surgery recovery timeline, heart valve surgery recovery time, and healing of the valve replacement scar. Recovery depends on age, procedure type, and overall health.

This is where BaleDoneen can assist with structural and valve heart defects.

We help detect issues or structural heart defects early using advanced testing. Then we create a plan to manage symptoms, slow damage, and support long-term health.

Prevention Starts Early

You can’t prevent every structural issue or structural heart defects, but you can protect your heart from further damage.

Heart defect prevention includes:

  • Treating high blood pressure early
  • Managing infections
  • Following care plans after valve surgery
  • Staying active
  • Eating a heart-healthy diet
  • Avoiding smoking
  • Keeping regular checkups

This lowers the risk of serious outcomes and helps improve life expectancy after aortic valve replacement or any major procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you live with a VSD?

What causes VSD disease?

What are 5 symptoms of ASD?

Is bicuspid aortic valve a serious heart condition?

Take the First Step

Structural heart problems don’t always show signs early. But they can grow worse over time. BaleDoneen Method helps you detect them before they lead to heart failure, stroke, or surgery.