Infants with a PFO and no other heart defects do not have symptoms. Some adults with PFOs also suffer from migraine headaches.Most PFOs cause no symptoms or complications. Larger PFOs may cause stroke. A patent foramen ovale is a small, flaplike opening in the wall between the upper chambers of the heart. The larger the hole, the more likely symptoms are. PFOs, on the other hand, are normal before birth but may fail to close after birth. Pain, redness, bleeding, drainage, or increased swelling at the insertion site. A patent foramen ovale or PFO is a defect in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart. Most people will not have any signs or symptoms directly from PFO at all.