Migraine Headacches and PFO, Correlation with Headaches?

Before we get into the question of whether there is a correlation or relationship between the PFO and headaches I think a little more description of the PFO is in order. Referring to the picture on the right

• The septum is the muscular wall separating the heart into the left and right sides.
• The atrial septum is the wall separating the atria (the two upper chambers).
• The ventricalar septum is the wall separating the ventricles (the two lower chambers).

The foramen ovale is a small hole located in the atrial septum that is used during fetal circulation to speed up the travel of blood through the heart. When in the womb, a baby does not use it's own lungs for oxygen-rich blood, it relies on the mother to provide it from the placenta through the umbilical cord to the fetus. Therefore, blood can travel from the veins to the right side of the baby's heart and cross to the left side through the foramen ovale and skip the trip to the baby's lungs.

Normally the foramen ovale closes at birth when increased blood pressure on the left side of the heart forces the opening to close. If the atrial septum does not close correctly, it is called a patent foramen ovale (PFO). This usually work like a flap valve, opening during conditions when there is more pressure inside the chest. If the pressure is great enough, blood may travel from the right atrium to the left atrium. If there is a clot or particles in the blood traveling in the right side of the heart, it can cross the PFO, enter the left atrium and travel out of the heart to the brain, possibly causing a stroke, or a coronary artery, or a migraine headache.

According the the Cleveland Clinic web page migraine headaches are more common in patients with PFO. Neurology seconds this by saying "Research has shown a higher prevalence of PFO among Migraineurs. (April 2004:62:1399-1041)"

What kind of tests have been done to come to this conclusion? Does closing the PFO make any difference? We will examine some studies done on the PFO and Migraines beginning with my next post.

There can be Natural Headache Relief.

Check out the Causes of Daily Headaches web page. The author blows the whistle on the common over-the-counter headache medications in use today. Does today's headache medication cause tomorrow's headache? What is an analgesic rebound headache. This page may be a shock for some, but not for those who have suffered the rebound headache syndrome.

Here's to Feeling Outstanding. Never give up!