Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is a congenital heart condition in which a hole exists in the wall between the heart’s two upper chambers. This opening lets oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood mix, which can increase the workload on the heart and lungs over time.

Small ASDs may cause no symptoms and sometimes close on their own, but larger defects can lead to shortness of breath, fatigue, frequent respiratory infections, palpitations, or a heart murmur. Diagnosis is usually made with an echocardiogram, and treatment depends on size and symptoms; some cases need monitoring, while others require catheter-based closure or surgery.