Is it normal for cardiologist to order echo cardiogram, stress test, and tests 4 years after a heart attack?

Absolutely yes,because the underline illness which cause him to have a heart attack still there and need to be followup,Monitor and be treated to prevent another heart attack.In other word if not do those tests the doctor is liable for malpractice law sue..

yes for the rest of the persons life.

Yes it is normal. Since it has been 4 years since a heart attack I would say the cardiologist's approach to this patient is appropriate. After all the test results are in, the cardiologist would normally study them, and then in the follow up visit go over the results with his patient and note areas of concern if any exists. Depending on how severe the heart attack was, you could have had this type of follow up exam even earlier. I am personally aware of how our health care system determines billing as far as insurances and individual payers are concerned. When I was in business I injured my back. Before it was determined to be a workman's comp case the doctor billed me $550. After he found out it was workman's comp he billed them $3000! So I understand your skepticism. In this case I believe the cardiologist is not concerning himself with billing but with the care of his patient.

Yes, it may well be. An echocardiogram is non-invasive test, and is extremely useful in looking at cardiac dimensions and the valves themselves. An EKG, which I am sure was done but not mentioned, evaluates the cardiac electrical conduction function. (Looks for problems with cardiac electrophysiology which can occur independently of coronary artery diseases) A stress test is looking for imbalances in blood supply to the cardiac muscle during exercise. Bloodwork can look at the presence or absence of viral and bacterial infections, whether the patient is anemic (which is particularly difficult for those with heart disease), what the total cholesterol, hdl and ldl are, as they predict future accumulations in coronary artery walls. The present level of certain electrolytes, potassium, sodium, phosphorus are also good to have as alterations in these can cause alterations in cardiac rhythm. Often a fasting blood sugar is obtained, and sometimes blood clotting studies are done or testing for things like anti-phospholipid syndrome. It sounds as if the cardiologist is doing a complete job as the status of these patients can change over time. Best wishes.

Yes, but it's still a free country, isn't it? So the patient can choose.