Five weeks ago, my treadmill results were found to be abnormal (-3.8mm V3 at 142 BPM). But I was asymptomatic. The cath and angiogram found two blockages in a branch of the descending artery, one 90 percent and one 75 percent and a third blockage at 75 percent in another branch. The cardiologist advised me not to exercise beyone a brisk walk, but put me on two meds to slow the heart and prevent arhythmia, simvastatin (40 mg) and aspirin (80 mg). I was already on hydrochltiazide. A few days later I did another treadmill with similar ST depression trend, but I only got to 134 BPM after the same 10 and a half minutes. Again, I was was asymptomatic during the treadmill, and have no other symptoms other than my vision sometimes changes reflecting insufficient oxygen to the optic nerve. I also have 50 percent blockage in the carotid artery from an ultrasound. I have told my cardiologist consistently that I have played sports at a relatively high level throughout my life and plan to continue to exercise vigorously as long as it is safe. So now my cardiologist sent me a message before he went on a two week vacation saying that stents are not necessary. Can I assume I can resume my practice to run a marathon? He did not put any limitations on me, even though he said that exercising vigorously will result in areas of my heart being deprived of the necessary blood supply. What is going on here? Is this a cost issue?