A bit off topic but coronary artery tests have been mentioned twice here. I have osteoporosis w/7 spinal fractures, cervical and lumbar stenosis, afib and chronic kidney disease. My cardiologist wants to test my arteries for narrowing because I had left arm pain with one afib episode.

I appreciate his caution but I am unable to do any of the tests. I tried the treadmill stress test w/EKG and the technician kept telling me it made no difference when I stopped. I stopped because of impact in my spine (cervical and thoracic mainly). Two weeks later I am still in pain. Turns out I had reached 79% of the heart rate the cardiologist wanted and he wanted me to do it again.

I said that might be hard on my spine, and the NP asked if I could do a bike while supine for an echo stress test. No!!!! CT would involve contrast and I cannot do any contrast due to kidneys (and sensitivity to it).

For those of you with osteoporosis, were you able to manage any stress tests? I suppose before my latest fractures I might have but honestly the big problem is my longstanding neck issues. There was a time when I got out of the car if the road was bumpy and avoided shaking hands. Basically running on the hard surface of the treatmill was torture. My risk is very low.