A PFO also known as a patent foramen ovale doesn't always need to be fixed although if the PFO is causing symptoms, complications or is large then it needs to be fixed.
If the PFO is causing any complications or is large or is causing symptoms then surgery will can be done to close the hole.
Most people that have PFO don't need any treatment.
A PFO is not always a serious heart condition although it can be a serious heart condition and does not always cause any symptoms and rarely requires any surgery or medical treatment.
A PFO is a small hole that is between the heart's two upper chambers which is the atria and is a congenital condition which means you're born with PFO.
PFO stands for a patent foramen ovale and it can be serious and allow blood clots to travel from your right atrium to your left atrium and then out to your body's blood vessels and if a clot blocks a blood vessel in your brain it can cause a stroke.
You can know if you have a PFO by having an echocardiogram test and other imaging tests done as well as physical exam.
A bubble test can also be done to test for a PFO which is where a cardiologist injects a sterile saltwater solution with tiny air bubbles into a vein.
The bubbles then travel to your heart and an echocardiogram tracks the movement of the bubbles and if the bubbles move from the right to the left side of the heart a PFO is indicated.
The symptoms of a PFO include shortness of breath, chest pain and even a stroke if a blood clot travels from the right atrium to the left atrium blocks a blood vessel in the brain.
A PFO is also known as a patent foramen ovale which is a small opening between the two upper chambers of your heart or atria and remains open after birth.
During the fetal development a structure called the foramen ovale allows blood to flow from the right to the left atrium and bypasses the lungs.
In most people the structure closes normally shortly after birth.
Although in some people it remains open or patent.
The reason why they check your stomach during an echocardiogram is to get a much better look and view at your heart from below the diaphragm.
Checking your stomach during an echocardiogram can help provide the doctors a clearer image of certain heart structures which can be difficult to visualize from your chest alone.
Checking your stomach during an echocardiogram can also be useful in assessing conditions like communications between your upper chambers of your heart and inferior vena cava which is a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from your lower body and abdomen back to your heart's right atrium.
The reason why you can't shower after an echocardiogram is because the heat from the hot shower water can affect your blood pressure and circulation.
This can impact your test results and you should also avoid hot tubs until the next day.
You can shower normally 24 hours after the echocardiogram and remove your dressing if it is still intact and it's not necessary to place another dressing on the site.
You should shower before the echocardiogram as you won't be allowed to shower after the echocardiogram.
They do sedate you for an echocardiogram.
For a transesophageal echocardiogram or TEE you will require sedation through a local anesthesia to relax you and also numb your throat.
You will also be given medication through an IV and a throat spray or gel during the TEE echocardiogram.
For many other echocardiograms you may instead be given a liquid sedative to swallow within 20 minutes to 45 minutes before the echocardiogram test.
When having an echocardiogram you should plan on spending at least 3.5 hours in the hospital for the echocardiogram and will will not be able to drive for 24 hours after the echocardiogram.
You should also not eat anything or drink anything for at least 6 hours before the echocardiogram test.
To stay calm during the echocardiogram you should close your eyes and imagine that the echocardiogram is going smoothly with the results coming back normal.
You can also visualize the medical staff being friendly and supportive throughout the process.
Being able to envision a positive outcome from the echocardiogram can help you ease your fears and put you into a much more happier and optimistic frame of mind.
The echocardiogram often takes between 15 minutes to 60 minutes and you normally are able to go home soon afterwards.