Medical articles of Patent foramen ovale

21/08/2025
Dr Sami Firoozi
Cardiologist
Patent foramen ovale: Symptoms, risks, and treatment options
A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a small opening in the heart that many people are born with. While it usually causes no problems and most people are unaware they have one, in some cases it can be linked to conditions such as strokes or migraines. In this article, a consultant cardiologist explains what a PFO is, how it can affect your health, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment options available.
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20/12/2018
Dr Mark Mason
Cardiologist
Can you live with a hole in your heart?
It is very possible to live with a hole in your heart, without ever realising that it’s there. A patent foramen ovale, also known as a PFO, is a hole between the left and right atria (upper chambers) of the heart that we all have when we are in the womb, but this should close shortly after we’re born. It remains open, however, in around 20% of people, the majority of whom are oblivious to this hole. Cardiologist Doctor Mark Mason talks more about patent foramen ovale and when it requires treatment.