topic Re: Have you ever had a stress test ? in Community Spirit

Have you ever had a stress test ?

newstart2380 — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 02:57:57 GMT

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 ?

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

catsnknots — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 03:05:18 GMT

My mum and step dad both had them... they didn't pay for either. Are they not covered by Medicare?

Up here we have one of the countries best cardiologists so I think the Dr's are very happy to refer their patients to his clinic.

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

**meep** — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 03:07:19 GMT

i had one.....pretty sure it was covered by medicare...

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

newstart2380 — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 03:25:32 GMT

@**meep** wrote:
i had one.....pretty sure it was covered by medicare...

Yes it is covered by Medicare and the remainder by PI.

The point I am trying to make is that I think everyone over a cergtian age (say 50 or 55) should be encouraged by their GP to have at least one stress test same as women having a mamagram and men having a postate check.

Heart attack is a huge killer in Australia and having a stress test may stop people from having these attacks if a problem is found.

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

**meep** — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 03:31:51 GMT

@newstart2380 wrote:
@**meep** wrote:
i had one.....pretty sure it was covered by medicare...

Yes it is covered by Medicare and the remainder by PI.
The point I am trying to make is that I think everyone over a cergtian age (say 50 or 55) should be encouraged by their GP to have at least one stress test same as women having a mamagram and men having a postate check.
Heart attack is a huge killer in Australia and having a stress test may stop people from having these attacks if a problem is found.

oh, I see....I thought your question was:

Should a stress test be available under medicare to all people over a certain age,

I was in my 30's when I had the test. It was covered by Medicare.

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

the*scarlet*pimpernel — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 03:33:11 GMT

Good grief, that must have been quite a shock for you and hubby. It's a good think you insisted on the test.

(I wonder if we have the same Dr. I gave him a whole list of symptoms which at the very least pointed to a thyroid problem, at the worst, ovarian cancer. He told me I was fat and lazy and to exercise more )

Yes, I agree. Why not make it a regualr thing over a certain age, the same as they do with bowel cancer checks and mammograms. My father might be alive today if they did.

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

amber-eyed-girl — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 05:12:08 GMT

You have a very forthright doc there miss pimpernel 🙂

Sometimes one has to insist if things just feel not right. Better to have a test and be fine than not, and have needed it.

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

newstart2380 — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 06:14:13 GMT

@the*scarlet*pimpernel wrote:
Good grief, that must have been quite a shock for you and hubby. It's a good think you insisted on the test.

(I wonder if we have the same Dr. I gave him a whole list of symptoms which at the very least pointed to a thyroid problem, at the worst, ovarian cancer. He told me I was fat and lazy and to exercise more )

Yes, I agree. Why not make it a regualr thing over a certain age, the same as they do with bowel cancer checks and mammograms. My father might be alive today if they did.

Not sure about the doctor being the same guy but I am sure there are more than one who dont give a hoot and just want the $70 for the 15 mins.

I believe we all know our own bodies and you do know if there is a problem better than the doctors, we need them to diagnose whether we are right and give us the necessary referrals etc to cure the problem or at least treat the problem.

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

azureline** — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 06:18:56 GMT

but how would you weed out the hypochondriacs ?

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

gem-boy-g — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 06:30:06 GMT

what does a stress test involve?

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

azureline** — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 06:32:39 GMT

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

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

newstart2380 — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 06:33:56 GMT

@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.

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

gem-boy-g — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 06:36:36 GMT

thanks azureline

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

newstart2380 — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 06:42:01 GMT

@gem-boy-g wrote:
what does a stress test involve?

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.

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

izabsmiling — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 06:43:41 GMT

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

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

carls*world — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 06:44:34 GMT

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

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

newstart2380 — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 06:47:07 GMT

@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

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.

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

newstart2380 — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 06:48:17 GMT

@carls*world wrote:
I used to be "stress tested" daily. By what was called a partner.

did he/she leave you breathless ?

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

carls*world — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 06:48:26 GMT

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 ?

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.

Re: Have you ever had a stress test ?

amber-eyed-girl — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 06:49:59 GMT

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