Originally Posted by
Bald Paul
I guess it's a matter of personal choice.
(1) Take a stress test. If you receive a 'false positive' it will usually lead to more tests, which may or may not lead to treatment options that may prevent a more serious issue.
(2) Opt not to take a stress test. Find out on that long climb, out alone in the middle of nowhere, that you do have an issue.
In my experience, I had zero suspicion that I had a problem. That is, until I had one.
Not quite so simple. A stress test showing an "abnormality " can, and often does, result in life altering medications, and activity restrictions. Plus, they can instill fear that prevents a person from intelligently living their life.
Interpreting electrocardiograms is as much an art as a science. At the same time we are still learning about the parameters of a "normal" heart.
Add in the doc's desire to limit liability and a wrong test can, in essence, ruin a person's life. Plus, never forget tests like this are merely snapshots. Plenty of examples of people dying shortly after "passing" a standard stress test.