The foramen ovale usually closes 6 months to a year after the baby's birth. A PFO usually causes no problems. If a newborn has congenital heart defects, the foramen ovale is more likely to stay open. Before birth, the foramen ovale allows blood flow to bypass the lungs a fetus gets the oxygen it needs from the placenta, not the lungs.
That way, the heart doesn't work hard to pump blood where it isn't needed. When newborns take their first breath, a new flow direction happens. The blood now needs to go to the baby's lungs. This new flow helps push the patent foramen ovale closed. The blood can no longer flow directly between the upper two heart chambers.
Instead, it flows from the right side of the heart into the baby's lungs to pick up oxygen, and then the left side of the heart sends the oxygen-rich blood out to the body. In most people, the flap that closes off the foramen ovale gradually seals itself in place so it's permanently closed.
In babies, kids, and adults with a PFO, the flap remains unsealed. Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff.
Congenital Heart Defects. About Congenital Heart Defects. The Impact of Congenital Heart Defects. Understand Your Risk. Symptoms and Diagnosis. Care and Treatment. Tools and Resources. Our online community of survivors and caregivers is here to keep you going no matter the obstacles.
How would you know? What's to be done? Last Reviewed: Mar 31, Support That Lifts You Up Our online community of survivors and caregivers is here to keep you going no matter the obstacles. Find encouragement. That blood is directed across the foramen ovale and into the left atrium. From there the blood enters the left ventricle, which pumps it throughout the body. When a baby's lungs begin working, blood flow through the heart changes.
Now the oxygen-rich blood comes from the lungs and enters the left atrium. At this point, blood flow follows the normal route. The pressure of the blood pumping through the heart usually forces the flap opening of the foramen ovale to close.
In most people, the opening eventually closes, usually sometime during infancy. A patent foramen ovale is a small, flap-like opening in the wall between the right and left upper chambers of the heart. It usually causes no signs or symptoms and rarely requires treatment. Generally, a patent foramen ovale PFO doesn't cause complications. Some people with a PFO may have other heart defects. Some studies have found that PFOs are more common in people with unexplained strokes and migraines with aura.
However, more research is needed. Usually, there are other reasons for these conditions, and it's just a coincidence the person also has a PFO. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview A patent foramen ovale PFO is a hole in the heart that didn't close the way it should after birth.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Chambers and valves of the heart Open pop-up dialog box Close. Chambers and valves of the heart A typical heart has two upper and two lower chambers. Patent foramen ovale Open pop-up dialog box Close. Patent foramen ovale A patent foramen ovale is a small, flap-like opening in the wall between the right and left upper chambers of the heart. Share on: Facebook Twitter.
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