Anyone had experience of this condition?

[Bigboots]

DH has just been diagnosed with a patent foramen ovale (tiny hole in heart between the atrium) following an unexplained stroke - does anyone out there have any experience of this? Surgery is an option...

[dippica]

No idea but bumping for you.

[Bigboots]

Thanks dippica! I think it's fairly unusual!!!

[saggarmakersbottomknocker]

Bigboots - hello, hope dh is doing OK following his stroke. That must have been a shock for you both.

I don't have experience of it in particular but do know a bit about PFO. It is quite common but isn't often diagnosed if that makes sense (because it's only usually looked for after some sort of 'event'). It is very often found in people who've had an early stroke though. Also there's been some discussion that there's a link between PFO and migraines.

This is a good explanation (although there are some medical terms). Surgery to close a PFO is usually done by catheter via the groin (similar to an angiogram) so it's not too invasive.

Are they thinking of closing it soon?

[Bigboots]

Thanks for your post! We are between the actual diagnosis of the PFO and seeing the consultant to discuss the way forward. Funnily enough he has always had pretty horrible migraine-like headaches, so with that and the unexplained early stroke it does look like he would be a candidate for closure. Good to know it's not too invasive.