Some studies have found that patent foramen ovales (PFOs) are more common in people with unexplained strokes and migraines with aura. In addition, PFO closure could be helpful but also could be harmful (arrhythmogenic).This does not mean that everyone who has PFO will experience a stroke or mini-stroke. A patent foramen ovale is a small hole in the heart that may increase risk of stroke. Learn about how a PFO affect stroke risk. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) or hole in the heart, affects millions of people and can cause a stroke. Stroke is the major potential complication of PFO. People who have a PFO are slightly more likely to have a stroke than people who do not. PFO's don't cause strokes. Blood clots can travel from the right atrium to the left atrium and out to blood vessels of the body.