I have atrial septal defect. can i exercise still? what can i do to prevent worsening of right ventricular hypertrophy from to asd before surgery?

Lay low: Normal activities are ok to be continued probably avoid heavy exercise like weight lifting that increases the intra thoracic pressure . No scubar diving.

Yes: You may continue to exercise normally. It would be prudent to abstain from scuba diving. The enlargement of the right heart is caused by the extra volume of blood flowing into the right heart through the asd. It will improve after the ASD is closed.

Likely But Ask MD: You likely can still exercise. In fact, exercise is often good to promote your overall cardiovascular health. There is not much you can do to prevent rvh, though some studies suggest that regular cardiovascular exercise may help by reducing your pulmonary artery pressures. Discuss this with your physician before starting an exercise program though.