How often does an atrial septal defect occur?
CDC estimates that each year about 1,750 babies in the United States are born with ASD (1). In other words, about 4 out of every 10,000 babies born in the United States each year are born with an ASD. An ASD also can occur along with other congenital (present at birth) heart defects. What problems does a person with an atrial septal defect have? A person with an ASD who has no other birth defects might have no or few symptoms. This is especially true for children. In addition, with a small-to-moderate ASD, a person can live a normal life span without symptoms. Larger defects can cause disability by middle age. In most cases with symptoms, signs of an ASD usually appear by the time a person is 30 years of age. If an ASD is not treated, problems can occur later in life.
