People who have a hole in the heart, often don't know, because symptoms ( Shortness of breath, tiredness, no stamina.) are attributed to other conditions (Asthma, smoking, emphysema etc.) With past technology they were harder to detect, and symptoms of other conditions can compound the problem. People can also consider the symptoms a consequence of old age, and because of the danger of open heart surgery, they are not as prepared to imagine that heart surgery as the answer. Very often a hole is found when some other condition is being targeted. Now as technology has improved, heart surgery is becoming safer and more routine. We are learning to work with nature, rather than think we can dicta...

People who have a hole in the heart, often don't know, because symptoms ( Shortness of breath, tiredness, no stamina.) are attributed to other conditions (Asthma, smoking, emphysema etc.) With past technology they were harder to detect, and symptoms of other conditions can compound the problem. People can also consider the symptoms a consequence of old age, and because of the danger of open heart surgery, they are not as prepared to imagine that heart surgery as the answer. Very often a hole is found when some other condition is being targeted. Now as technology has improved, heart surgery is becoming safer and more routine. We are learning to work with nature, rather than think we can dictate to it. One of the most remarkable thing is that before surgery, things like shortness of breath can seem like a natural consequence of age and modern living. Until the hole is fixed. Then, when by comparison like a breath of fresh air, oxygen hits the brain and body at 'natural' levels, there becomes no doubt that the surgery was worth the risk. As cures become safer and more complete, and their benefits are made clearer, people will be more prepared to look for problems that otherwise they might have tried to misdiagnose, or ignore.