“How is a hole in a heart usually diagnosed?”

Typically, this is assessed using an ultrasound of the heart called an echocardiogram. Transthoracic echocardiogram is usually obtained first, but to be able to fully assess the possible "hole" or medically termed a septal defect, a transesophageal echocardiogram is recommended.

Hi an ECHO could diagnose if there's defect in someone's heart. Thank you.

A Hole in the heart can be either an incomplete closure of the small membrane between the 2 upper chambers of the heart which are called atria this is typically called atrial septal defect or for short ASD or it could be a result of an incomplete closure of the members septum in between the 2 lower chamber the heart which are cold ventricles and is typically called ventricular septal defect. There is also a subsector of ASD which is called patent foreman ovale or for short PFO and it only occur after birth when the foreman ovale fails to close. And it is presence in about 25% of the population.

Best test to evaluate and diagnose any of these defects is an echocardiogram to start with which is an ultrasound of the heart during the test you can evaluate the size of the defect as well as the amount of blood flow that goes through it and if there is a reversal of the flow from the left side to the right side or vice versa.

Cardiac MRI can also be used to evaluate any congenital abnormality of the heart including any septal defects.

While the majority of PFO's does not require any closures larger one will require closure either by catheter or surgically because the can increase the risk of stroke by about 40 to 50%