A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a heart defect which occurs when a hole between the two atrial chambers, necessary in the womb, doesn't close properly after birth. The defect can be found in 25% of the population, but often has no symptoms.
Doctors have found that the defect is twice as common in migraine sufferers. PFO can be treated with keyhole surgery. The Kings College Hospital in London and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital will now study whether the surgery cures the migraines too.
Lead researcher Dr Andrew Dowson, from Kings College Hospital, said: "While there are many migraine treatments that help control symptoms, as yet there is no cure for migraine." Millions of people suffer migraines in the UK.
