If you have heart disease, it is extremely important to take steps to control your condition. The first noticeable symptoms of coronary heart disease may be angina, which is a periodic pain or discomfort in the chest that is caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. This pain usually occurs behind the breastbone and may travel down your left arm or up your neck, or be a squeezing, pressing sensation that does not change with breathing. It is typically caused and worsened by exercise and eased by rest. The pain usually lasts 2 to 5 minutes.
Some women get a less typical angina.
The chest pain may last longer, occur in a location other than behind the breastbone, or not be worsened by physical activity and eased by rest. Some women have shortness of breath or indigestion. If you have any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor. With treatment, the outlook is good. Without treatment, however, the symptoms may recur and worsen, and even lead to a heart attack.