Could I have Angina?

[Melanie32]

Hello. I am 33 and female with a family history of Angina. For the past couple of months I have been experiencing some discomfort in my chest. The only way to describe it is as if someone is pushing on my chest bone with one hand and in between my shoulder blades with the other. This mostly happens when I am at work and after excersise. The other symptoms are some sharp 'hot needle' pains around my left arm pit/shoulder. Sometimes, like a line of pressure up the left side of my neck & the other day my left thumb went all tingly. Sometimes, heart palpitations. I also feel more out of breath than ever.
I concider myself to be quite fit. I am 5ft 6 and weigh 9stone. I am a postwoman in the uk,so am used to excersise every day, plus i also do a lot of cycling outside of work. I do smoke about 7 cigs a day, and am an occasional drinker (birthdays,christmas).
I don't know if I am just jumping to conclusions, or do I really have something to worry about.
Please, Some advice would be appreciated.

Thank You,
                  Melanie

[mammo]

I agree with ed.  Plus, just because you exercise doesn't mean you can't have heart problems.  Do take the time to get this checked out now and not in an emergency situation.

[ed34]

If you have a family history of heart problems, you are signing your own death sentence by smoking. I know 7 a day doesn't sound much but it is a heck of a lot of poison for your heart. I bet if you give up for just one day you will feel a huge difference.
Next time you get chest pains like you describe, please please go to the hospital. You could be having mini attacks and be on the verge of a big one. I'm not trying to scare you, but why not get it checked out. A simple blood test will tell Cardiologists if your heart is being damaged. So many people end up being seriously, or fatally ill because they ignore the first possible signs. Just take a few hours of your life and put them to good use, get to A&E.

[kenkeith]

Chest discomfort from physical exertion can be the only symptom necessary to diagnose a heart conditon.  It is medically referred to as stable angina, and you should see a cardiologist.  Usually someone your age does not have any heart problem, but it could be something congenital such as a bicuspid valve syndrome that usually shows up with individuals in their 30's.  Unlikely, but there could be vessel occlusion.  See a cardiologist for peace of mind.