Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have found that patients with shortness of breath can have a higher risk of dying from cardiac disease than patients without symptoms, and even than patients with typical cardiac pain.
The sternum, commonly known as the breastbone, is a long, narrow flat bone that serves as the keystone of the rib cage and stabilizes the thoracic skeleton. Several muscles that move the arms, head, and neck have their origins on the sternum.
The first costal cartilage is attached to the side of the manubrium. Below, the manubrium articulates with the body of the sternum at the sternal angle, which is marked by a palpable (and sometimes visible) transverse ridge about 5 cm below the jugular notch. The sternal angle is an important bony landmark at the T4 or 5 vertebral level.