Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) in Adults

Cardiovascular Care

You may be living with a heart condition and not even know it. Some people don’t feel symptoms until adulthood. An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common heart issue you’re born with. It can affect how well your heart and lungs work over time. 

At WMCHealth, you’ll have access to advanced imaging, innovative repair options, and expert care for every age. Whether you need monitoring or treatment, we’re here to guide you. 

Female doctor listening senior woman's heartbeat during routine medical examination.

What Is an Atrial Septal Defect?

An ASD is a hole in the wall that separates the top two chambers of your heart. This hole allows blood to flow the wrong way, which can make your heart and lungs work harder than they should. 

Some ASDs are small and may close on their own as you grow. Others remain open and can lead to strain on your heart or lungs over time. In most cases, even though the hole has been there from birth, the symptoms show up in middle life. And there may be signs that the heart has had to change to accommodate the hole. If that happens, we recommend treatment to help prevent future health problems and support your long-term well-being. 

Types of Atrial Septal Defect
There are several types of ASDs, depending on where the hole is located in the wall between your heart’s upper chambers:
  • Secundum ASD: This is the most common type. It happens in the middle part of the atrial septum.
  • Primum ASD: This type is lower in the septum and may occur with other heart issues. It’s often part of a more complex condition.
  • Sinus venosus ASD: This type is near the veins that bring blood back from the lungs. It may need surgical repair.
  • Coronary sinus ASD: This rare type affects the vein that drains blood from your heart muscle. It may occur with other heart defects.
Symptoms of Atrial Septal Defect
You may not notice symptoms for years, or ever. But when they do show up, they can affect your daily life. Common symptoms include:
  • Frequent lung infections
  • Stroke or mini-stroke (TIA)
  • Swelling in your legs or belly
  • Feeling more tired than usual
  • Shortness of breath during activity
  • Heart palpitations or skipped beats
Diagnosing Atrial Septal Defect
Getting the right diagnosis early can make a big difference in your care. Our heart specialists use advanced imaging tools to see how your heart is working. These tests are fast, noninvasive, and often done during your first visit. You may have:
  • A cardiac MRI or CT scan for detailed images
  • An echocardiogram (transthoracic or transesophageal) to see your heart in motion
  • Cardiac catheterization to guide treatment, if needed
  • An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to check heart rhythm

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Walter E. Kaufmann

Cardiovascular Disease

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  • 5 Skinner St
    Port Jervis, NY 12771

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Andrew Najovits

Cardiovascular Disease, Echocardiography, Nuclear Cardiology

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  • 257 Lafayette Avenue Suite 300
    Suffern, NY 10901

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Hratch Kazanjian

Cardiovascular Disease

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    Goshen, NY 10924

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Chhaya Gupta

Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology

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    Suffern, NY 10901

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Andrew C. Shih

Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine

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    Suffern, NY 10901

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Ahmed Alabbady

Interventional Cardiology

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    West Nyack, NY 10994

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Richard Cantor

Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Echocardiography

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  • 2 Executive Boulevard
    Suffern, NY 10901

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Seth Hurwitz

Cardiovascular Disease, Echocardiography, Nuclear Cardiology

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  • 30 Hatfield Lane
    Goshen, NY 10924

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Amala Chirumamilla

Cardiovascular Disease, Echocardiography, Nuclear Cardiology

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  • 257 Lafayette Avenue Suite 300
    Suffern, NY 10901

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John Zimmerman

Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiovascular Disease

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  • 30 Hatfield Lane
    Goshen, NY 10924

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Cary L. Hirsch

Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease

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  • 257 Lafayette Avenue Suite 300
    Suffern, NY 10901

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Gunjan J. Shukla

Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiovascular Disease

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  • 257 Lafayette Avenue Suite 330
    Suffern, NY 10901

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Savalan Babapoor

Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology

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  • 257 Lafayette Avenue Suite 330
    Suffern, NY 10901

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Joseph Harburger

Cardiovascular Disease, Diagnostic Ultrasound, Internal Medicine

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  • 100 Woods Road ACP 1st Floor
    Valhalla, NY 10595

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Divya Malhotra

Cardiovascular Disease

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    Valhalla, NY 10595

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Arvind Agarwal

Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine

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  • 12 Liberty Square Mall
    Stony Point, NY 10980

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Lee P. Root

Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine, Echocardiography, Nuclear Cardiology

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  • 972 Route 45 Suite 103
    Pomona, NY 10970

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Stephen Pan

Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease

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    Suffern, NY 10901

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Gregg M. Lanier

Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology

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    Suffern, NY 10901

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Alan Gass

Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology

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  • 257 Lafayette Avenue Suite 330
    Suffern, NY 10901

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Why Our Heart Imaging Stands Out

Our echocardiography services are fully accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC)—a national mark of quality in heart imaging. This means your heart tests are reviewed and interpreted by trained specialists using high-quality equipment and proven techniques. We’ll help you get clear answers and take the right next steps. 

Atrial Septal Defect Treatment 

Not every ASD needs treatment. If yours is small and not causing problems, we may simply monitor it with routine checkups. 

If your ASD is larger or causing symptoms, your treatment may include: 

  • A catheter procedure to place a device that gently seals the hole 
  • Medications to ease strain on your heart or control irregular heartbeat 
  • Surgery to patch the hole, which may be needed for larger or complex ASDs 

Your team will work with you to create a plan that supports your health now and in the future. 

What to Do Next

If you’ve been told you have a heart defect or you’re experiencing new symptoms, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our heart specialists can help you understand what’s happening and what your options are. We’ll walk you through every step, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond. 

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