A ventricular aneurysm can be a serious complication of a heart attack. It occurs when a weakened section of the wall of one of the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart, expands and bulges like a balloon at the spot where the heart attack occurred. Symptoms of a ventricular aneurysm generally include shortness of breath, chest pain, or heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias). If left untreated, a ventricular aneurysm can lead to heart failure, stroke or damage to other organs in the body. See more about Ventricular Aneurysm Repair.
Another potential complication of a heart attack is a ventricular septal defect, a hole in the wall (septum) between the two lower chambers of the heart, the ventricles. If left untreated, heart failure can develop. Symptoms include leg swelling, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Surgery is often required to close the hole between the two chambers.