What are symptoms of a PFO?

Nearly everyone with a PFO is asymptomatic. As noted above, a small subset of people with PFO can develop strokes.

Howell my doctor diagnose a PFO?

PFOs are diagnosed with an ultrasound of the heart called an echocardiogram. Many patients will also undergo a second ultrasound of the heart to more closely evaluate the area of the PFO called a transesophageal echocardiogram. This is done under sedation in the hospital.