Anyone with a PFO (hole in the heart)

Hi Guys-

I know I asked this before but I need a refresher. For those of you with a PFO, what were your symptoms and was it a small hole. My main question is could even a small hole cause symptoms. They found a small pfo on me and the doctors didn't seem concerned about it at all but I am because I have symptoms that are very bothersome. I appreciate your input!

Hi my wife has just been told she has a hole in the back of her heart, and her symtoms are :-

coughing (almost choking), tired, breathless when walking more than 100 yds, fluid on the lungs.

she is now being refered to glenfield hospital.

So we have to wait, but the worry is this coughing and choking.  At night it is worst.

Does this help ? 

Hey Els...are you going to be at chat tonight? Does your mom get the fluid build up because of the Mitral Valve prolapse?? What test showed the fluid?

I had a PFO surgically repaired about 5 weeks ago (not the cath repair). I had 2 small strokes, severe light headedness, palpitations (PVC's). Mine was very large (1.5 inches) with a high degree of shunting, and almost no septum left at all. I was considered high risk for further neurological events.

Generally a doc will tell you it's nothing serious unless you are young and have a stroke or 2. It's not an uncommon defect, I think 25-30% of the population has it. I don't know whether size matters or not. Symptoms might include some hypoxia if it's a high degree of shunting... thus blood mixing. Light headedness might result, but I have never heard of headaches being caused by the defect.
If there have not been any neuro issues, many doctors feel closing it is just as risky as leaving it along.

ASD's are a bit different as they are true holes in the heart, and should be repaired, as they can lead to problems such as pulmonary hypertension if left untreated.

Hope this helped answer your question neurogurl.

Hello Neurogurl,

Doctors like to tell you not to worry unless there is a high risk of stroke, embolism, etc. If you are young and haven't had a stroke they consider you "symptom free". They worry more when you are older and more likely to suffer from a stroke, heart failure.

You didn't list symptoms so it's hard to tell you. Remember sometimes treating the "hole" can cause more problems later on. These procedures are farely new and they do not have too many studies of people living with it for the rest of their lives. PFO's are very common. You have had it since birth more than likely since that is a hole we have open inutero that closes and seals up when we are born.

Now if you are having symtoms thate are affecting your everyday life and are bothering you go back to the DR. and if that one doesn't help get a SECOND OPINION. You do not have to settle with treatments you are not satisfied with.

I have a PFO and an ASA but they won't fix it because I am young and "symptom free"and there is a greater risk of having problems after the surgery than living with this. I stopped using the aspirin and Plavix because they made me bleed out and gave me migranes. I actually had 2 PFO's but one closed up on it's own. I got a new doctor who suggested thinning my blood naturally with garlic and a glass of wine a few time a week. Since I am sensitive to medications it works for me. I do take Metropolol for the severe skipping hearbeats but other than that. I do get tired more easily but I just rest when needed and then get back to the grind.

Do lots of research online. Write a list of what's bothering you /symptoms. Questions about how you feel, treatments and medication. The way HMO's are controlling things you have to be proactive in getting the best care for you.