Maggie's Farm

This is more relevant for men than women (they are not medically-equal). If over 45-50, never a bad idea to get an echo stress test on some sort of regular basis. I've seen many trim, athletic guys drop dead, or almost drop dead, with cardiac events which could have been dealt with semi-ok for years. 

While it is a fact that almost half of male Western humans (Asians too) will succumb to arterial disease (and almost the other half to some cancer - something will take us down), there is no reason to speed up the former death. (Less civilized areas have people of all ages dying of infection, accidents, war, etc.) Can treatments for cadiovascular disease keep you going? Yes - just ask my 90+ year old overweight, wine-loving father-in-law who has had stents, bypass, pacemaker, and ongoing treatment for congestive heart failure, and is still truckin' and loving life.

Sheesh, it's only arthritis that really limits him now. Too many sports.