Stress Test - worth the effort?

Visited a (supposed to be) cardiologist last week - he wanted me to have
a stress test, but I declined and he lost interest in having me as a
patient.

I had a triple bypass 10 years ago, and since them have had stents put
in on 4 separate occassions. Same thing happens each time - I have the
angioplasty/stent then about 4 to 8 weeks later my angina and shortness
of breath returns - gradually gets worse and worse until I can only walk
(say) 20 metres before needing to take an anginine tab, then the tabs
are not enough to stop the pain and I go to hospital.

I had the last stent in Jan 04, and am now at the point where I think I
need another op - pain on exertion (eg drying myself after a bath) and
pain after eating a heavy breakfast.

So, I went to see this guy after getting a referral from the GP/

I hate those stress tests as I think they may bring on a major heart
attack, and also it seems a waste of time and money. If the test turns
out bad I will need an angiogram/plasty to find and fix the problem, and
if it turns out good then I will need an angiogram to find the problem.

Either way I will need the angiogram, so why go thru the hassle of a
stress test?

As I live in the bush their is only the one so called cardiologist handy
- so a second opinion means a 1000km trip

Any ideas, suggestions?

David - who is of course on regular heart medication







.

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