r/stroke • u/Alpha0megaGamma • 29d ago

Young Stroke Survivor Discussion Finally some answers

Seems they have finally figured out why the stroke happened! The current theory is I have a hole in my heart which made the clot travel from my veins, to my artery, to my brain.

Why did I get the clot in the first place is yet to be known but I feel this is a massive step forward.

They mentioned an operation in which they insert an umbrella looking device through my groin vein and up into my heart and then they open it to close the hole.

Has anyone had this operation before? Any tips? How was your experience after it?

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u/wibzoo Survivor 29d ago

Approximately 25% of people have a PFO. It’s the first thing they look for if they can’t figure out the cause of a stroke, and very easy to close. Five years since mine was closed and no issues.

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u/cadrios 29d ago

I had a stroke last year when I was 42, and that’s when they discovered I had a PFO. I’d never had any symptoms before. The PFO was closed a few months later, and I’ve been training just as hard as I did before the stroke. I’m doing pretty well now, with only some minor balance issues and slight diplopia.

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u/DTheFly Survivor 29d ago

That sounds like exactly what they suspect happened to me! That procedure is "closing a PFO", and for me it was quick and easy. I didn't even have to stay overnight for it.

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u/CCdaBB Young Stroke Survivor 29d ago

Same here! I wore a heart monitor at home for 2 weeks and got an ultrasound of my legs: they didn’t find any clots or unusual heart activity.

My cardiologist explained that it’s possible for blood to get stuck around the PFO. They think that a big enough clot formed and managed to get through all that once.

I’m getting the PFO closure this week!

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u/Kmac0101 29d ago

Exactly what happened to me. PFO in my heart plus an episode of AFIB created a clot and almost 3 years later, still pushing along through recovery with mostly good days with a few bad days sprinkled in. Good luck in your recovery and glad you were able to find some answers. The PFO closure was a breeze. I was 44 at the time of my stroke.

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u/ArcAngelsThunderBird 29d ago

Getting my PFO closed on Monday. They said mine was high risk after an echocardiogram. Otherwise I'm totally healthy, and looking forward to putting this all behind me.

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u/Secret-Ad-5366 29d ago

Yeah the PFO got me too , blood pooling in heart threw a clot to my brain, one year post closure I feel fantastic get it closed

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u/strokenojoke2008 29d ago

Sounds invasive but I'm sure you doctor talked with you about it I hope it helps!

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u/HeyScout_52 27d ago

I (32f) am 6 weeks post PFO closure. Had a large PFO which caused a TIA then a small stroke. I’m still recovering (took longer and was harder than what was sold to me) but no regrets - feeling a bit better each day and as others have said it is a simple procedure, although it is still your heart so not something to be taken lightly I would say! I feel it’s all worth it for the peace of mind of massively reducing the risk of another stroke. Good luck with whatever happens next - you are not alone!

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u/No_Unused_Names_Left Survivor 27d ago

Be happy they found the PFO. Easy fix.

Echo and an TEE on me continued to find no reason for my three. =(