Q. There is a concern in Jewish law or custom that advises to refrain from certain parameters of medical testing. If a doctor recommends a stress test (heart) out of general concern due to age and family history of a patient, but not out of any specific concern, due to any reason in Jewish law or custom, should one refrain from doing the stress test (walking fast on a treadmill and when heart reaches stress level, doctor measures heart health)?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if the good doctor is well aware and familiar with the condition of his elderly patient, and recommends the test, to ensure his general health condition, one can rely on his judgment on this issue, as he does with the rest of the treatment. One can and should consult with the doctor and voice any concerns. He may also seek another valid medical opinion.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a