Whats the difference between a heart attack and heartburn

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Am I Having Heartburn or a Heart Attack?
What Is Heartburn?
What Is a Heart Attack?
How Can I Tell the Difference between Heartburn and a Heart Attack?
When Should I See a Doctor?
South Denver Cardiology Associates Can Help
How do I know if I'm having a heart attack or heartburn?
What are the 4 signs of an impending heart attack?
Does heartburn always mean heart attack?
How can you rule out a heart attack at home?

Am I Having Heartburn or a Heart Attack?

You’re experiencing chest pain after a big meal. It could be your heartburn acting up. However, it’s also possible that the chest pain is a sign of an impending heart attack. These two issues often feel very similar, making it hard to determine the difference. As a result, emergency room doctors will typically perform diagnostic tests to rule out a heart attack if you’re experiencing chest pain.

What Is Heartburn?

Heartburn is caused by acid reflux, a condition that occurs when the acid in your stomach rises up into your esophagus (the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach). While the lining of your stomach is strong enough to handle these acids without any pain, your esophagus doesn’t have the same kind of protective lining. As a result, a burning sensation often occurs when this acid enters your esophagus, and it can cause chest pain.

Common symptoms of heartburn include:

Burning sensation in the upper abdomen and chest
Pain that extends upward towards your throat
Bitter or acidic taste in the back of the throat
A small amount of stomach contents may rise back into your mouth

In addition, these symptoms typically develop after a meal and become worse when you bend over or lie down. If you’ve eaten a meal shortly before bedtime, you may wake up in the middle of the night with painful heartburn symptoms. Often, the pain can be relieved by taking antacids.

What Is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack occurs when your coronary arteries don’t supply enough blood and oxygen to the heart. This can result in chest pain that is commonly described as tightness, pressure, or constriction in the region, whereas heartburn typically results in more of a burning sensation. However, it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two, which is why you should be on the lookout for other common symptoms of a heart attack, which include:

Pain that spreads into the arms, jaw, neck, or shoulders
Shortness of breath
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Fatigue
Cold sweat
Nausea

Not all of these symptoms will be present with every heart attack, and they can often vary in severity. While chest pain is the most common symptom and typically occurs with all heart attacks, women tend to develop these secondary symptoms heart attack symptoms more frequently than men.

How Can I Tell the Difference between Heartburn and a Heart Attack?

It can often be difficult to tell the difference between these two issues based on symptoms alone. However, there are some indicators that may help you determine whether you’re experiencing a heart attack or heartburn:

Heartburn tends to occur after a meal and be more painful when lying down
Antacid drugs can relieve heartburn symptoms, but won’t alleviate chest pain associated with a heart attack
More generalized symptoms such as breathlessness or pain extending into the neck, shoulder, and jaw typically don’t occur with heartburn
Pain extending into your throat is typically associated with heartburn
Belching and bloating often occur from heartburn but are not associated with a heart attack
Strenuous activity will often make heart attack symptoms worse

When Should I See a Doctor?

Due to the serious nature of a heart attack, it’s always best to play it safe and seek medical attention if you’re experiencing persistent or unexplained chest pain. Always call 911 and request emergency medical assistance if you’re experiencing chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes or that returns intermittently. Prompt treatment can potentially save your life.

South Denver Cardiology Associates Can Help

South Denver Cardiology Associates provides award-winning cardiac care focused on helping you achieve a healthier life. We offer comprehensive diagnostic testing to determine whether your symptoms are heart-related or not. Once we’ve accurately diagnosed the cause of your symptoms, we’ll work with you to develop the right treatment plan to manage your condition.

Please contact us today to schedule a consultation. South Denver Cardiology Associates serves patients in Denver, Littleton, and the surrounding areas of Colorado.

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Randy Cupps Graduated from Western Colorado University in Gunnison, Colorado, in 1983 with a degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology. Randy started his medical career in 1980 as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) working on an ambulance and in an emergency room. He then joined South Denver Cardiology in 1986 when it was South Denver Cardiac Rehabilitation as an Exercise Physiologist conducting a wide variety of Graded Exercise Testing on a diverse patient population. Randy continues to keep his EMT current, and he is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist. In 2012 Randy acquired the role of business development, marketing, and physician relations manager at SDCA.

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As with any health concerns, your specific treatment program should be discussed thoroughly with your primary care physician as well as any specialists who may need to be consulted – like a cardiologist.

How do I know if I'm having a heart attack or heartburn?

Heartburn itself can accompany other symptoms of heart attack. Typical heart attack signs and symptoms include: Pressure, tightness, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or back. Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain.

What are the 4 signs of an impending heart attack?

What are the symptoms of heart attack?.

Chest pain or discomfort. ... .

Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint. ... .

Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back..

Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders..

Shortness of breath..

Does heartburn always mean heart attack?

What does heartburn have to do with your heart? Nothing, actually! Despite its name, heartburn — or acid indigestion — is related to your esophagus. But because the esophagus and heart are located near each other, either one can cause chest pain which is why many people mistake heart burn for angina and vice versa.

How can you rule out a heart attack at home?

Signs of a heart attack include: - Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. - Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort. - Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. (If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately.)