The other shortcut is called the foramen ovale. It's a small hole between the left and right atria. It's generally higher up, just above where a secundum-type ASD would be located. After birth, the blood pressure increases in the aorta and on the left side of the heart. Either of these conditions can cause symptoms like fatigue, difficult or rapid breathing, failure to grow normally, or chronic respiratory infections.
Large openings can lead to heart failure and death.