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Asthma, COPD and Breathing Problems

Shortness of breath, wheezing and a cough that won’t go away can have many causes. Dr. Marina Gafanovich finds the cause and builds a treatment plan so you can breathe easier. Spirometry, the key breathing test, is done right in our Upper East Side office.

  • Board-certified internist
  • Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian / Weill Cornell
  • On the Upper East Side since 2008
  • Blood work & ECG in the office
Dr. Marina Gafanovich at her desk in the Upper East Side office, 1550 York Avenue

Conditions we treat

  • Asthma, including allergic and exercise-induced asthma
  • COPD (chronic bronchitis and emphysema)
  • Chronic cough
  • Bronchitis and other respiratory infections — see Same-Day Sick Visits
  • Shortness of breath that needs evaluation

Testing in the office

  • Spirometry (pulmonary function test): measures how much air you can breathe out and how fast, before and after an inhaler
  • Oxygen level (pulse oximetry)
  • ECG, when heart problems need to be ruled out
  • Chest X-ray, arranged nearby when needed

Treatment

  • The right inhalers for your condition, and a check that you use them correctly
  • A written action plan: what to do on good days, when symptoms flare, and when to seek urgent care
  • Identifying triggers such as allergies, smoke, cold air or reflux
  • Flu, pneumonia, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines to prevent infections that worsen breathing
  • Help quitting smoking
  • Referral to a pulmonologist when needed

Severe shortness of breath, blue lips, or difficulty speaking in full sentences is an emergency — call 911.

Why patients choose Dr. Gafanovich

Board-certified internist

Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), with more than 20 years in practice.

Hospital affiliation

Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian / Weill Cornell Medical Center.

A practice with history

Dr. Gafanovich has led this Upper East Side practice since 2008; the practice was founded in 1961.

Tests on site

ECG, spirometry, urinalysis and blood draw in the same office, often during the same visit.

Time to listen

Unhurried visits, and every result is explained.

Languages

English, Russian, Spanish

Insurance and payment

We accept many plans from Aetna, Cigna, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield (Anthem), MultiPlan and Coresource. Self-pay patients are welcome. Call 212-249-6218 for self-pay pricing.

See our Insurance page for the full list of plans, or call 212-249-6218 and we’ll check your coverage.

Frequently asked questions

Asthma often starts young and airway narrowing is usually reversible with treatment. COPD develops in adults, most often after years of smoking, and the damage is long-lasting. Spirometry helps tell them apart.

When you are diagnosed, when symptoms change, and periodically to track your lung function — usually once a year for COPD.

Yes. Asthma can start at any age.

Related services

Medically reviewed by Dr. Marina Gafanovich, MD, board-certified internist · Last reviewed: September 21, 2026

Book a visit

  • Book online in about a minute
  • Most major insurance plans accepted
  • English, Russian & Spanish spoken

My NYC Doctor — Dr. Marina Gafanovich, MD
1550 York Ave, Suite A
New York, NY 10028

Mon–Fri: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sat–Sun: closed

Book your appointment online

Choose a convenient time below — it takes about a minute. Prefer to talk to us? Call 212-249-6218, Mon–Fri 9 am – 5 pm.

Ready to see Dr. Gafanovich?

1550 York Ave, Suite A, Upper East Side · Mon–Fri 9 am – 5 pm