What is considered a large atrial septal defect?

An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a hole in the wall between the two upper chambers of your heart. A large ASD occurs when the size of this hole is more than 8mm. Symptoms vary depending on the size and location of the defect, but common symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness or lightheadedness due to low oxygen levels in your blood (caused by increased pressure on one side of your heart). In some cases an ASD can cause arrhythmia or stroke symptoms due to clots formed from stagnant blood. Treatment for ASDs range from medication to minimally invasive procedures such as catheter-based closure or open-heart surgery depending on size and complexity. It’s important to maintain regular checkups with a cardiologist if you have an ASD so that any changes in condition can be detected early and treated promptly for optimal health outcomes!