1 in 4 people has a flap-like hole in the heart – what can you do if you’re one of them?

  • Decompression disease (DCS)

” Decompression nausea is a major issue for those who scuba dive because nitrogen bubbles can relieve when a diver resurfaces and cause a injury if these balloons cross the PFO,” said Asst Prof. Foo.

The DCS danger in outdoor fishermen has been reported at 3.6 situations per 10, 000 dives, and a four-fold increase in risk with PFO, according to Divers Alert Network. ” The overall risk of cerebral DCS is minimal, even in the appearance of a PFO”, noted the site.

  • Platypnea-orthodeoxia Syndrome ( POS )

PFO may also result to a rare condition known as platypnea-orthodeoxia disorder, said Asst Prof Foo, “where a reduction of oxygen absorption in the body is observed” when you go from an up to lying place.

Since there are no known systems, how is PFO typically identified?

It is frequently discovered incidentally, according to Dr. Kuntjoro, when a person undergoes an cardiomyopathy ( an ultrasound of the soul ), or a CT coronary angiogram for additional respiratory conditions.

The clinical evaluation to ask your doctor on, advised&nbsp, Asst Prof Foo, is the trans-oesophageal echocardiogram with bubble comparison. To visually assess the presence of a PFO, he said, “it involves inserting a tiny tube with an ultrasonic sensor down the throat.”

A transcranial delta is a good screening test, as stated Asst Prof Foo. This exam uses sonar to measure the blood flow in the brain and can identify any bubbles that might cross a PFO.