Is it heartburn or heart attack?

Having any kind of chest pain can be unsettling. More than 6.5 million Americans go to the emergency room for chest pain each year. Fortunately, most cases aren't serious. But how can you tell the difference between a heart attack and other conditions that cause chest pain?

Is it heartburn or heart attack?

If you've ever had a burning sensation in your chest after a meal, you may have experienced heartburn. Some heartburn symptoms can feel much like those of heart attack, which can be worrisome. However, the two require very different responses, so it's important to recognize the symptoms of each to get the right treatment.

Heartburn

Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux, which creates a burning feeling in the chest or throat caused by stomach acid flowing up into the esophagus. The feeling can last for a few minutes or several hours after eating. Other symptoms of heartburn include:

• Burping
• Chest pain
• Hoarseness or long-term cough
• Nausea
• Regurgitating food
• Sour taste in the mouth

Heartburn can be caused by certain foods and drinks. Spicy foods or those with high acidity, such as coffee, are common sources of heartburn for some people. The pain may get worse if you lie down because it allows the stomach acid to flow more easily into the esophagus.

Heartburn isn't usually serious on its own, but if you have it often, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is a more serious form of acid reflux that can damage the body over time.

Heart attack

Heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is reduced or blocked. A lack of blood flow can cause the heart muscles to become damaged and begin to die. A heart attack can be sudden or it can start slowly and cause mild pain and discomfort.

Besides chest pain, heart attack symptoms include:

• Discomfort in other parts of the body, such as one or both arms or the jaw
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath

Although men and women can both experience chest pain, women are more likely to experience less common symptoms, such as back pain or nausea and vomiting.

How to differentiate between heartburn and heart attack symptoms

Since heartburn and heart attacks can have similar symptoms, it is important to know how to tell the difference. There are a few ways you can tell the two apart:

• Location: You usually feel heartburn pain below or behind the breastbone. It may also spread to the neck and throat. Heart attack pain is usually felt in the center of the chest, but may also spread to the back, jaw and neck.
• Pain type: Heartburn pain is usually a burning sensation, since it's caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus. Heart attack, on the other hand, can feel like pressure, tightness or squeezing in the chest.
• Timing: Heartburn usually occurs shortly after or within a few hours of eating. A heart attack is not related to eating and can occur at any time.

Heartburn will usually go away on its own once you have finished digesting your food. However, you should call your doctor if you develop more severe chest pain or have trouble breathing.

Heart attack, on the other hand, can get worse over time. It might start with mild discomfort and gradually worsen over hours or days. In some cases, the pain may be sudden and intense. Go to the hospital or seek immediate medical attention if the pain doesn't go away with rest, or if it starts to spread to your arms, back, jaw or stomach. 

If you are unsure, make an appointment with a healthcare professional.

How to reduce the risk of heartburn and heart attack

Whether you're worried about heartburn or heart attack, you can reduce your risk with certain lifestyle modifications.

Reduce your risk of heartburn by:

• Avoiding or limiting alcohol, caffeine or acidic and spicy foods
• Avoiding lying down right before bedtime or for at least two hours after consuming acidic beverages such as coffee or soda
• Eating smaller meals more frequently
• Keeping your head elevated when you sleep to prevent stomach acid from backing up
• Wearing loose-fitting clothing to relieve pressure on the stomach

Reduce your risk of heart attack by:

• Eating a healthy, balanced diet low in saturated fats and processed food
• Getting regular physical activity to maintain heart health
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Managing stress
• Quitting smoking

Knowing how to recognize the symptoms of heartburn or heart attack is crucial for getting the proper care and relief. Although some symptoms may overlap, each condition is unique and requires a different course of treatment. If you don't know which one you're experiencing, seek medical attention as soon as possible to reduce the risk of a serious health issue.