What are the symptoms of coronary heart disease?

Coronary artery disease usually progresses slowly over many years. Symptoms may not appear until the disease is advanced. Often, the first symptoms are shortness of breath when exercising and chest pain, called angina.

However, symptoms of coronary heart disease may differ in people. Women, people with diabetes, and the elderly often have some chest pain but it may be mild. People in these groups commonly complain of neck, shoulder, upper back or belly pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and lasting tiredness.

Men more often have the classic symptoms usually associated with coronary heart disease. These include chest discomfort that is described as a "pressure," "squeezing," "burning" or "heaviness" sensation in the center of the chest, underneath the rib cage. The discomfort can sometimes spread to the neck, jaw or left arm. Other symptoms that may accompany angina include:

• Sweating
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea, shortness of breath
• Palpitations, a fast and pounding or skipping heartbeat

Talk with your doctor about your specific symptoms and risk factors.

Symptoms of coronary heart disease include shortness of breath, chest pains, and heart attack. The chest pain may feel like a tightness or pressure in your chest, and may be triggered by an event that causes an emotional reaction. Heart attacks carry their own set of symptoms, including shoulder and arm pain for men or stomach or back pain for women.