What occurs if a small hole develops in the heart's septum?

When a small hole develops in the heart's septum, which separates the left and right sides of the heart, it creates an abnormal connection that allows blood to flow between the two chambers. Normally, oxygen-rich blood from the left side is pumped to the body, while oxygen-poor blood from the right side is sent to the lungs for oxygenation. When a septal defect is present, blood can flow from the left side to the right side due to the difference in pressure between the two sides. This is known as left-to-right shunting.

This situation can lead to an excess of blood entering the right atrium and ventricle, increasing the workload of the right side of the heart and potentially causing complications such as heart failure or increased pulmonary blood flow. Therefore, the occurrence of blood moving from the left side to the right side of the heart is a direct result of the septal defect and highlights the impact of such structural abnormalities on normal heart function.