Recommendations for exercise should be determined in consultation with your cardiologist. There are no exercise restrictions for patients with small coronary artery fistulae with negligible symptoms.

Patients should be monitored regularly by a cardiologist to guard against the late development of arrhythmias, ischemia, or heart failure that may limit safe levels of exertion.

Patients with coronary artery fistulae are at a slightly higher than normal risk for irregular heartbeats or sudden death during extreme exertion, such as during athletic competition. Therefore, they should undergo stress testing prior to these activities.

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