Ventricular Septal Defect: Symptoms & Signs (VSD, Endocardial Cushion Defect)

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You are here : 3-RX.com > Medical Encyclopedia > Diseases and Conditions > Ventricular Septal Defect: Symptoms & Signs
Category : Health Centers > Heart Diseases

Ventricular Septal Defect

Alternate Names : VSD, Endocardial Cushion Defect

Ventricular Septal Defect | Symptoms & Signs | Diagnosis & Tests | Prevention & Expectations | Treatment & Monitoring

What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?

Symptoms associated with a ventricular septal defect depend on the size of the defect and condition of the blood vessels. A person with small defects may not have any symptoms. If symptoms are present, the person may just have a history of frequent respiratory infections during infancy and childhood. If there is a large defect, symptoms can occur during infancy and childhood. This type of defect may cause frequent respiratory infections, including pneumonia. Many times symptoms do not appear until adolescence or adulthood.

Symptoms of VSD may include:

poor weight gain

failure to thrive, or slow growth

shortness of breath, especially after exercise

fatigue

excessive sweating

rapid heartbeat

heart murmurs, which are abnormal heart sounds that a healthcare provider can hear with a stethoscope

congestive heart failure

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Ventricular Septal Defect: Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors		Ventricular Septal Defect: Diagnosis & Tests

Author: Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
Reviewer: Gail Hendrickson, RN, BS
Date Reviewed: 07/24/01

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