Headaches caused by a patent foramen ovale may be due to an abnormal blood supply to the brain due to blood shunting, and may also be accompanied by dizziness, for which prompt treatment such as surgery is recommended.
The foramen ovale is found in both the heart and the base of the skull, but foramen ovale incompletion usually refers to the foramen ovale of the heart. In normal people, the heart is divided into four chambers, and the left and right chambers are not connected to each other. When a patent foramen ovale is not closed, the left and right chambers are connected, causing abnormal blood flow, and the heart’s pumping function is also affected. When the heart’s shunt flow affects the brain significantly, symptoms such as headache and dizziness may occur.
Foramen ovale insufficiency may also lead to syncope, temporary aphasia, sleep apnea and other symptoms. For the presence of transient ischemic attack manifestations combined with patent foramen ovale as described above, or if the shunt is significant, treatment such as interventional repair is recommended.
It is recommended to go to the hospital promptly for treatment of patent foramen ovale.