LOCATE : Looking for a Better Way to Diagnose a Problem that can Lead to Stroke
What is a PFO and how can it Affect You?
A PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale) is a spot in our heart that is formed when a baby is in the womb. The hole in the wall lets the blood bypass the lungs before we are born. Every fetus has this hole in its heart, and the PFO usually closes by itself when a new baby draws its first breaths.
But we know that for 1/3 of the general population, this hole is not sealed, but can still open in adulthood – and for some, it can cause major problems, including stroke.