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 ?

[catsnknots]

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. 

[**meep**]

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

[newstart2380]

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@**meep** wrote:

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

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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.

[**meep**]

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@newstart2380 wrote:

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@**meep** wrote:

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

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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.

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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.

[the*scarlet*pimpernel]

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.

[amber-eyed-girl]

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.

[newstart2380]

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@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.

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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.

[azureline**]

but how would you weed out the hypochondriacs ?

[gem-boy-g]

what does a stress test involve?