I don’t know about anyone else ... I noticed problems at least a year before I bothered with testing. I first thought I was working too hard in the gym ... then I thought I could fix whatever was wrong with diet and exercise.

Finally I found that I couldn’t walk fifty yards at a quick pace without sending my heart rate over 220.

I finally broke down and saw a doctor ... and was immediately scheduled for emergency surgery.

I have no idea how much harm I might have done to my heart during all the times I pushed until I felt sick. I don’t know how many times I nearly had my own emergency situation because I thought I could just push through whatever I was feeling.

I know I had a few literal heart-stopping moments from over-exertion. I just didn’t take them seriously until the time I took my pulse and couldn’t count fast enough.

Avoiding a stress test to avoid treatment is an option it could be a fatal option.

Get the test,. if you don’t like the outcome get a second opinion. If you don’t want to don’t take the meds (I stopped all my meds a few weeks after surgery (much to my doctor’’ dismay) and I haven’t died yet.)

But find out. You might just need to exercise more ... or you might have a 60 percent arterial blockage or some other life-threatening issue that will not heal, no matter how hard you exercise or how harshly you diet, and which will kill you before your time.

Just my opinion.