What is a Patent Foramen Ovale???

A Patent Fo-what O-What?
A Patent Foramen Ovale.
{pronounced PAY-tent fore-A-men O-val-eh}
What is a PFO??

First, there is the need to explain what the Foramen Ovale is  ::
When in the womb, our circulatory system works differently than when out.  We do not yet use our lungs when in the womb because we receive our vitamins & nourishment from our moms through the umbilical cord & placenta.  Since our circulatory system works differently at this stage, the Foramen Ovale is the small hole in the atrial septum (upper chambers of the heart) that allows the blood to circulate.
When we are born, the circulatory system changes.  The Foramen Ovale usually closes with our first big breath.  This breath causes the lungs to fill and thus causing Foramen Ovale to close because of the pressure of the circulatory system getting 'on track'.

BUT!
When the Foramen Ovale doesn’t close properly it is called a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO).

This type of defect generally works like a flap valve, opening during certain conditions when there is more pressure inside the chest.  When the PFO is present it allows blood to take 'short cuts' through the heart. 

(See the image to the left for what the PFO looks like.)

Approximately 25-30% of the general population has a PFO (occasionally, it can be heard with a heart murmur).  Many people can live with a PFO without any problems.  But there is the possible risk of migraines, strokes, and the possibility of not being able to scuba dive.


resourses for this info:
--mostly, my brain and things I've learned in the past couple of years.  along with these links ::
--Foramen Ovale
--PFO
--Fetal Circulation