Question
nurse red tell me someing
stress tests age 55 how good are thay
never had a psa test how good is it
no fear things comeing out
big fear things trying to go in
get my drift
Answer
kingfisher,
Stress test at any age is beneficial. It will show if you have a heart defect, I know it showed I had a previous heart attack. If things don't look right one might be sent to have a heart catherization. I just had one of those too! Found out I had another heart attack.
No, I didn't know I had either one, they were silent, probably in my sleep. So go have a stress test done and if you don't think you can do the tread mill see if you could have a Thallium (sp) stress test.
BTW I'm 49 had bypass surgery at 45.
Dave
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My Thermos has more miles than most driversExtruckdweller
Answer
Kingfisher,
I hope I am interpreting your questions correctly.
It appears that it has been recommended you undergo a stress test at age 55. Your age is not necessarily a reason to have a stress test. While it probably wouldn't be a bad idea, age alone is not normally an indicator. So, I am assuming there has been some other sort of situation that indicates you need this procedure.
A simple stress test works like this. You arrive at the facility, check in and they will usually start a saline lock in a vein in your hand or foream. A saline lock is a mini IV. No fluids running in, just a capped off catheter. Kind of like a 'tap' into a vein. They will then stick EKG electrodes to your skin. These electrodes will transmit a mapping of the electrical activity from your heart to a monitor that the doctor's can see as it takes place. It shows the activity from 12 different positions of the heart. This is so they can tell if there is one specific area of the heart that is weak or defective. Once you are hooked up, they put you on a treadmill, tilt it uphill and make you work hard to see what affect physical activity has on your heart.
Up to this point, the IV is the only thing that 'goes in' and it's only 1 1/2" into a vein in your hand.
If the test shows a problem, they arrange for further and more invasive testing.
I am not certain what PSA is. So I will need further info from you on that.
A thallium stress test is much the same as I described before, but they inject a 'dye' into your veins and watch it on an xray machine run around the circulation of your heart to help locate defects as well.
I hope this allays your fears some.
This is merely a test, it is not something that will fix a problem. That involves other procedures.
Don't hesitate to let me know if you have more questions or concerns.
And if your Dr. is saying he thinks you need this done, then go get it done. It's better to fix a potential problem ahead of time than wait until it's a crisis.
Think about this. You are driving down the road and the engine starts making a 'knocking' sound. Do you get it into the shop and check it out ASAP, or do you wait tile the engine blows?
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Keeping you safe, healthy, and on the road.
Nurse Red
Visit us at www.Truck.net/abmsVisit us at
Answer
I realized after my last post that I had tunnel visioned on cardiac stuff when I was trying to think of what you were asking with the PSA question.
If you are asking about PSA in regards to prostate, it is a simple blood test that can be done as a diagnostic tool to help diagnose prostate problems.
Is that what you were asking about?
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Keeping you safe, healthy, and on the road.
Nurse Red
Visit us at www.Truck.net/abmsVisit us at
Answer
thanks nurse red
no one told me to get a stress test but i think at my age it would be helpfull (i am playing doctor your self)
for i drive short run now but will be going long haul soon at this age i feel better knowing pro/ con
i am fit for 55 and feel good to do this kind of work fast walk 2/3 miles a day
as for psa test this would make me feel better also to no roto roter job with a garden hose
thanks all