Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

How do you know if your fatigue may be related to a PFO?

I've read some things on PFOs and wonder if that may be my problem. Does chronic fatigue from a PFO get worse over time? Does the fatigue feel like it’s sort of emanating from the chest? (This is weird, but my fatigue always has felt like I have a hole in my chest.) I’m nearly 50 and have had bad fatigue for 20+ years, but I and my doctors attributed it to my having a 40-yr history of severe rheumatoid arthritis (juv onset) and strong meds to treat that. (The fatigue did first get really bad on a daily basis when I had to go up very high on a chemo-type drug.) But for the past several years, my RA has been pretty inactive, and I’m on relatively low doses of fatigue-causing meds, yet the fatigue is getting worse. Because of doctor’s orders and trying to keep my muscles strong to protect my joints, I’ve always gotten a fair amount of cardio and other exercise, but I’ve had to cut way back on what I can do, and I always crash after I exercise. Also, I have a history of PVCs and even mild atrial fib, which is worse the more tired I am. I had a full cardiac workup this past winter due to chest pain while exercising (including echo, stress test,  stress MRI, 1-month heart monitor) and all except for arrhythmia was normal. But my cardiologist never mentioned a TEE.  I’d be surprised if I had a PFO, given how much testing of my body I’ve had since age 8, but reading these posts, I’m beginning to wonder. Thanks for any advice you can give me.
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I’ve been on home oxygen for 5 years, without an actual diagnosis, but starting this past May, just walking from my bathroom wore me out. My heart rate would rise to 100-150 bpm then my O2Sat would drop into the 80’s. I had 3 separate doctors tell me NOT to exercise until they figured out what was wrong.

After several previous tests, I was TERRIFIED of having a TEE, but you’re asleep for the whole thing. It’s very easy; not even a sore throat afterwards.

A previous “bubble echo” with the saline showed a potential PFO, but my cardiac cath didn’t find it. Thankfully the thoroughness of my TEE cardiologist found an odd shaped PFO, and she did 6 saline/bubble procedures after I woke up to confirm the direction of the tunnel (not a hole.)  The bubble echo doesn’t hurt AT ALL (you already have a small IV & you don’t feel the saline that they mix with your blood to make it frothy); it’s actually pretty cool to watch! I highly recommend it.

I had my PFO closed yesterday through my groin (cath procedure) and I already feel a lot better! I haven’t needed supplemental oxygen, and I’m much more alert! I’m not allowed to lift anything heavy for 3 months, so now I’m looking forward to playing with my grandkids without lugging around oxygen or constantly needing to rest.

So although I’m not a doctor, I’m living proof that a PFO can make you extremely tired!
Helpful - 0
11548417 tn?1506080564
An echo as you mention it is called a TTE =trans thoracic.
Hereby the images are made with a probe positioned on the chest.
A TEE =trans esophagus is positioned into the esophagus. This is less comfortable for the patient but, as the probe is closer to the heart, it can provide more accurate images of the heart than a TTE.
A TEE can be useful for examination of PFO, once the PFO has been found with TTE.

A PFO would have been diagnosed with your earlier echo (TTE).
So I can not imagine that your fatigue would be the result of an undiscovered PFO.

Helpful - 0
2 Comments
Thanks so much--that's very helpful!
One further question: can a TTE diagnose a PFO without injected saline bubbles? Some articles I've read seem to indicate that that's how it's found. Thanks.
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Community

Top Heart Disease Answerers
159619 tn?1707018272
Salt Lake City, UT
11548417 tn?1506080564
Netherlands
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.