Have you ever had a stress test ?

[newstart2380]

My OH felt a bit "odd" (more so than usual) and saw his Dr and asked for a referral to have a stress test, bit short of breath and tired. We used to have one every 2 years but since moving have been a bit slack.

Dr said, Oh you had one 18 months ago so you should be OK. OH insisted so off to the specialist and had it done, 2 weeks later he was in hosptal having an angiogram and whilst there the cardio surgeon asked "would you like to have stents or a double by pass" as you have 2 blocked arteries that are 90% blocked.

I have an appointment to have a stress test even though I feel great.

Should a stress test be available under medicare to all people over a certain age, just one, how many heart attacks could be prevented and how much money could be saved by the health system if this precaution was taken ?

[azureline**]

My OH had to walk on a treadmill, they changed the speed and gradiant while he was hooked up, to measure his stress.

[newstart2380]

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@azureline** wrote:

but how would you weed out the hypochondriacs ?

Probably can't but you have allow to for some people who read the internet or medical books diagnose there illness even if they are not ill. I am sure if doctors see these people enough times they would realise they are not genuine patients. Another reason to introduce a levy on each doctors visit to stop people from seeing a doctor for something minor and doctors not telling old Mrs Jones to not to forget to make her appointment in 4 weeks when there is no need to see her.

[gem-boy-g]

thanks azureline

[newstart2380]

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@gem-boy-g wrote:

what does a stress test involve?

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Being hooked up to a cardiograph machine (little sticky things on your chest) walking on a machine and adjusting the speed up to as fast as you can go to see if you have any shortness of breath or pain in the chest. Also blood tests.

If you suffer any symtoms then you have an angiogram and if they find any blocked arteries you have a choice to have stent/s or by pass surgery.

Apparently ( according the the cardio surgeon) your arteries start to harden at a younger age but if you don't care for yourself and not eat correctly, smoke or drink to excess and also excersise the arteries can "clog up"

I am sure if doctors referred every patient over a certain age to a specialist who provides these tests the rate of heart attack may decrease.

I am now a believer.

[izabsmiling]

I had one after what the Doctors think may have been an angina attack..Of course it was and should be covered by Medicare

[carls*world]

I used to be "stress tested" daily. By what was called a partner.

[newstart2380]

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@izabsmiling wrote:

I had one after what the Doctors think may have been an angina attack..Of course it was and should be covered by Medicare

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Maybe if you had had a stress test you may not have had the angina attack because the stress test may have picked up the problem and you could have then had an angiogram, I would recommend you have it done.

[newstart2380]

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@carls*world wrote:

I used to be "stress tested" daily. By what was called a partner.

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did he/she leave you breathless ?

[carls*world]

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newstart2380 wrote:.

Should a stress test be available under medicare to all people over a certain age, just one, how many heart attacks could be prevented and how much money could be saved by the health system if this precaution was taken ?

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Unfortunately, short sightedness by both sides only looks at today's expenditure, not what it might save in the future. Then in the future complain about how much health is costing the nation.

Same goes, and was recently discussed with dental care. How many later term illnesses have oral infections caused, at great cost and discomfort, because low income folk can't afford regular dental treatment.

[amber-eyed-girl]

The other important thing there is that gum or jaw pain can be a sign of heart trouble.