Is There Too Much Screening for Heart Disease?

The number of these tests has increased significantly over the last 20 to 30 years, and these days screening may involve any of a dozen procedures — some as simple as taking a patient’s blood pressure, some as complicated as CT angiography, an expensive, controversial test that may carry health risks.

The number of these tests has increased significantly over the last 20 to 30 years, and these days screening may involve any of a dozen procedures — some as simple as taking a patient’s blood pressure, some as complicated as CT angiography, an expensive, controversial test that may carry health risks.

But as important as screening is, excessive and inappropriate testing can lead to “a cascade of unnecessary, costly and in some cases risky follow-up tests and treatment,” said Dr. John Santa, director of the health ratings center at Consumer Reports Health.

Full article and tips on heart disease screening.