Does patent ductus arteriosus affect appetite?

Written by Chen Tian Hua
Cardiology
Updated on May 08, 2025
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When patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) progresses to a certain extent, it can affect appetite.

If the patent ductus arteriosus causes pulmonary arterial hypertension, leading to right heart failure, it results in congestion of the gastrointestinal tract and the liver. This significantly impacts the digestive and absorption functions of the gastrointestinal tract, causing reduced appetite in the patient. Some patients may also experience nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension.

For patients with patent ductus arteriosus, if there are indications for surgery, timely surgical treatment should be carried out to correct the anatomical abnormalities and prevent the progressive worsening of the patent ductus arteriosus, which could lead to adverse outcomes.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Does patent ductus arteriosus cause easy sweating?

The arterial duct is prone to sweating. During this period, it is best to advise patients to monitor changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse. Sometimes there may be incidences of rapid heart rate, as this is a type of congenital heart disease. If a patient is prone to respiratory infections, especially pneumonia, this condition can lead to a decrease in resistance. For such patients with weak constitution, they are more likely to sweat. In terms of treatment, early surgical intervention is advised to alleviate the sweating, and preparations should be made early on.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
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Is a 5mm patent ductus arteriosus serious?

Patent ductus arteriosus is a type of congenital heart defect. Typically, the ductus arteriosus is expected to close on its own, but if it remains open over time and is larger than about five centimeters, it is crucial to seek surgical treatment at a hospital promptly. Currently, there are no particularly effective medications to improve this condition since it is a congenital heart disease. Early surgical intervention is recommended. This condition is considered serious, and during this period, it is important to actively prevent upper respiratory infections, as they can repeatedly lead to pulmonary inflammation.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Can you get pregnant with patent ductus arteriosus?

Firstly, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is not a hereditary disease, so both males and females with PDA can reproduce. However, if the individual is female, it is advisable to treat PDA before pregnancy, as pregnancy can increase the load on the heart. Patients with PDA often have poorer cardiac function. If they are asymptomatic, their compensatory abilities may be reduced. Therefore, for safety, it is recommended that patients with PDA consider conception after minimally invasive interventional treatment or surgical treatment, which is safer. The majority of PDAs can be treated with minimally invasive procedures, so the trauma is relatively minor, and there is no need for excessive worry.

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Written by Jia Qiu Ju
Cardiology
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Can patent ductus arteriosus cause shortness of breath?

Patent ductus arteriosus can indeed cause shortness of breath. Patent ductus arteriosus refers to a duct between the aorta and the pulmonary artery that fails to close after birth. This can cause blood from the aorta to shunt into the pulmonary artery, leading to high pressure in the pulmonary artery and causing pulmonary congestion, which can lead to pulmonary edema and symptoms such as difficulty breathing. Therefore, if the pulmonary hypertension is not severe, there might still be an opportunity for surgery. Once patent ductus arteriosus is diagnosed and if the timing is appropriate, it is recommended to perform occlusion or surgical treatment as soon as possible to prevent pulmonary hypertension and potentially inducing heart enlargement, which may trigger heart failure.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Can you have children if you have a patent ductus arteriosus?

The ductus arteriosus refers to a channel in the fetus that, before birth, allows blood from the maternal placenta to enter the fetus's aorta through the ductus arteriosus and then circulates the blood throughout the body. This channel closes after birth, and in the vast majority of people, it closes within a year. If it remains open until reproductive age, surgery is required because an open ductus arteriosus can lead to deteriorating heart function and, in severe cases, can cause heart failure. Therefore, women with an open ductus arteriosus can have children after treatment. An open ductus arteriosus is not a hereditary disease, and regardless of whether it is present in males or females, it is not genetic and they can have children.