What tests are used to diagnose coronary artery blockage?

Invasive and non: Coronary blockage is defined as enough narrowing to cause symptoms, or to show up on a stress test. Stress tests look for signs of reduced heart muscle oxygen supply (e.g. Ekg changes during exercise, weak heart squeezing on echo, or nuclear perfusion defects). Angiography ("cardiac cath") is invasive, injecting dye into the arteries to image blockages, and stents can be inserted at the same time.

Many tests: With your age -- exercise tolerance test is advisable.