Chest pain can be a scary symptom that may make you wonder if you are having a heart attack or just heartburn. While both conditions can cause discomfort in the chest, they have very different causes and treatments. Knowing how to tell the difference between heartburn and heart attack can help you seek the right medical care and prevent serious complications.
Speaking exclusively to the editorial team of Onlymyhealth, Dr. Mohit Tandon, Consultant Non Invasive Cardiologist, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Okhla –New-Delhi explains how to differentiate between heartburn and a heart attack. Here is what he shared with us.
What is heartburn?
Heartburn is a common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux. GERD develops when the acidic contents of the stomach reverse their flow and move upward into the oesophagus, which serves as the conduit connecting the mouth and the stomach.This can irritate the lining of the oesophagus and cause a burning sensation in the chest, usually after eating or lying down. Sometimes, the acid can also reach the throat and mouth, causing a sour or bitter taste.
Heartburn is not a serious condition in most cases, and it can be treated with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. However, frequent or severe heartburn can be a sign of a more serious problem, such as an ulcer, a hiatal hernia, or esophageal cancer. Therefore, it is important to see a doctor if your heartburn does not improve with home remedies or if you have other symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, weight loss, vomiting, or bleeding.
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What is a heart attack?
A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when one or more of the coronary arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart muscle become blocked. This can damage or destroy part of the heart muscle and impair its function. A heart attack can be caused by various factors, such as atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries), blood clots, coronary artery spasm, or cocaine use.
A heart attack requires immediate medical attention to restore blood flow to the heart and prevent further damage or death. The treatment may include medications, such as aspirin, nitroglycerin, or clot-busting drugs; or procedures, such as angioplasty (opening the blocked artery with a balloon or stent) or coronary bypass surgery (creating a new route for blood flow around the blocked artery).
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How to differentiate between heartburn and heart attack?
Heartburn and heart attack can have some similar symptoms, such as chest pain or discomfort. However, there are also some key differences that can help you distinguish between them:
1. Location of pain
Heartburn usually causes pain in the middle or upper part of the chest, while a heart attack typically causes pain in the centre or left side of the chest.
2. Quality of pain
Heartburn usually causes a burning sensation that may come and go with food intake or body position, while a heart attack usually causes a pressure, tightness, or squeezing sensation that may last for several minutes or longer.
3. Radiation of pain
Heartburn usually does not spread to other parts of the body, while a heart attack may radiate to the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back.
4. Other symptoms
Heartburn may be accompanied by a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, regurgitation of food or acid, or difficulty swallowing, while a heart attack may be accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, sweating, dizziness, or fainting.
When in doubt, seek medical help
If you are not sure whether your chest pain is caused by heartburn or a heart attack, it is better to be safe than sorry and seek emergency medical help. Do not ignore your symptoms or try to self-diagnose them. A delay in treatment can have serious consequences for your health and survival.
Some tips to prevent or reduce your risk of heartburn and heart attack include:
- Avoid foods and drinks that trigger acid reflux, such as spicy foods, fatty foods, citrus fruits, coffee, alcohol, or chocolate.
- Eat smaller and more frequent meals instead of large ones.
- Do not lie down or bend over soon after eating.
- Raise the head of your bed by six inches (15 cm) to prevent acid from flowing back into your oesophagus.
- Quit smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly.
- Manage your stress levels and practice relaxation techniques.
- Control your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
- Take medications as prescribed by your doctor for any underlying conditions that may increase your risk of heart disease.
- Follow up with your doctor regularly and report any new or worsening symptoms.
