People with small "silent ductus" PDAs and those who underwent repair during childhood can expect normal life expectancy and no restrictions in their activities. Patients with untreated medium-sized or large PDAs will experience some limitations in physical activity because of fatigue and/or breathlessness during exercise (dyspnea). The development of symptoms from larger PDAs, such as left heart enlargement and arrhythmias or pulmonary hypertension, will impose restrictions on activity. Safe levels of exercise should be determined through testing.

Anyone with congenital heart disease, repaired or non-repaired, should consult with their cardiologist about physical activity to review the risks.