Do I ever need a stress test?
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I am 65 years old and in good health, and I see my doctor once a year for an annual exam. Should I request a stress test at my next physical?Stress testing can identify artery blockage, but only if the artery is more than 70% blocked. Arteries with less blockage could still trigger a heart attack, but the blockage may not show up on a stress test. Even with a positive test for blockage, undergoing a procedure to open a blocked artery with a stent does not decrease your future risk of a heart attack any more than lifestyle changes and appropriate medications.
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