Although uncommon, a blood clot formed in venous system, such as the leg veins, can travel through the blood to the heart and, if the person has a PFO; the blood clot can cross into the left side of heart and go to the brain, resulting in a stroke. This condition is called paradoxical embolism.Patients with PFO are advised to avoid scuba diving in view of the risk of paradoxical embolism and decompression sickness.Patients who do not suffer from any symptoms may not need routine follow-up with serial echocardiograms.
