Overload refers to the fact there is blood flowing from left side to the right side of the heart through the abnormal connection (PFO) leading to an extra burden on the right side of your heart.
It is uncommon to have left to right flows through a PFO (generally they are right to left) but certainly a possibility, but it is hard for me to tell you that with definite certainty without looking at your TEE/ echo pictures.
Thank you...I do infact have a PFO, they did a "bubble test" while I was in the hospital and shortly after my release I had a TEE done, both tests did show the PFO. When you say my heart is showing signs of "overload", what does that mean? I get winded quite often and I can feel the strong beat of my heart...at times it seems like you could see how hard it is beating. I have no family history of PFO's, DVT's or strokes in my family so all these changes have reallygotten me scared. Thank you for your response, hopefully my cardiologist will call me soon with his decisions.
Dear cara626
it is hard to give you an accurate assessment of situation without personally meeting you and reviewing your echocardiogram but I will give you some helpful information.
Without looking at your echocardiogram, it is hard to tell you if you indeed have a PFO. I suspect that you have a condition called atrial septal defect which refers to a larger communication between the left and the right side of the heart.
The reason I say that is due to the fact that the right side of your heart has now started showing signs of "overload"
That being said, I think that there does not appear to be an irreversible change or damage to your heart muscle.
I would suggest that you follow up with a cardiologist who specializes in the treatment of these disorders (like a structural heart disease specialist) who will be able to determine a management/ referral plan.
You are welcome to follow up at the Cleveland Clinic as we have several cardiologists who specialize in the treatment of this condition.
Hope that helps
CCFHeartMD19