Stroke at 25 please help

[LITTLEMOMMABEAR]

I am 25 and just had a stroke 3 weeks ago while i was driving. It turns out I have a PFO Patent Foremen Ovale (hole in heart} The cardiologist I seen suggested a pfo closure, that I have scheduled in 3 weeks. But he told me it is not yet FDA approved. Are these procedures common? and successful? They said I have thick blood and the fact that I was taking birth control contributed to my stroke. I am now taking a baby aspirin every day to thinning my blood. Not only that but my heart speeds up a lot too. When I was hospitalized they had a monitor on me and I simply took 3 steps to the restroom room and they came running in the room asking if I was ok. They said my heart  beat was at 140.?? And when I was being evaluated by the cardiologist he was listening to my heart and after I took a deep breathe he said shockingly can you feel that? your heart just sped up real fast? Is that safe? He also said I have a murmur and said maybe it's because I'm so skinny??? I have a 1 year old to live for.. PLEASE HELP!!!

[LITTLEMOMMABEAR]

You have given me so much re-assurance. Words can not express my gratitude. Thank You so much for taking the time to help me out. I've been having a lot of anxiety over everything.So I'm sure that's not helping either. One day I'm fine, the next I have a stroke, hole in my heart, thick blood and now high cholesterol??? Oh Boy! LOL and to top it all off my surgery is scheduled for 9/11 ...I'm Doomed... The apptmnt with the cardiologist did not go so well - as far as him being able to answer my questions adequately or at all.But I do have faith, everything happens for a reason. So please just keep me in your prayers. With all my appreciation....  - Amanda

[Jerry_NJ]

I am sure you will be fine and the closure will put you in "A-1" shape.  

The HR of 140 when you got up from a resting position may not be too high, I will assume your HR would go lower if you staying on your feet with a low activity such as walking.  Being in the hospital could also contribute to anxiety and that helped push your HR up... I wonder what it was when you were resting.   I also read with some concern that both the hospital staff (nurses) and your doctor didn't take the time to explore your heart's behavior in a more supportive way.  I guess I have been lucky, and have some days in the hospital intensive care, I always felt the doctors and nurse staff were working to make me better, not make me worry.

[Wisconsin2007]

Maybe the doctor was talking about a specific kind of PFO closure?  I new device or surgical instrument?  Because I know there are people on this site that have had the closure done.  

I'm not sure what exactly your doctor was trying to explain when your heart sped up when you inhaled, but that happens to almost everyone.  For me, the change in heart rate is much more pronounced when I'm stressed - but I've been assured that that is fine, by more than one doctor.

And a murmur can be something of interest (that would require some sort of treatment) or it might be nothing.  My cardiologist said she heard a very slight murmur in my heart, explained it as blood swirling as it entered one of the heart's chambers, and that in my case it was harmless.  It may be the case with you as well, just that your doctor may not have as good a bedside manner to explain that part to you.

You're scheduled for surgery, which is good.  So long as you are confident in your doctor and your insurance pre-approves the procedure, then you should be worry-free, because you're going to be much healthier when you wake up after the procedure.  With plenty of energy to chase around your baby.

Please keep us updated.

Jeff