Identifying the Differences Between Heartburn, Acid Reflux, and Heart Attack

Understanding How to Differentiate Between Heartburn, Acid Reflux, and Heart Attack

Experiencing a burning sensation in your chest along with pain radiating from your stomach to your shoulders and feeling disoriented can be alarming. Unsure whether it's a heart attack or heartburn? Here's essential information to help you tell these conditions apart.

Let’s explore each condition and their typical symptoms for accurate identification.

Acid reflux: A condition where the valve at the end of the esophagus doesn't close properly, allowing stomach acid and food to back into the esophagus. This commonly occurs after overeating, smoking, or alcohol consumption, and is generally not serious if it’s occasional. Treatment often involves lifestyle adjustments and over-the-counter remedies.

Heartburn: A prevalent symptom linked to acid reflux, characterized by a burning sensation in the chest that may radiate to the throat and even the ears. It is usually triggered by eating habits and is manageable with simple treatments.

Heart Attack: The symptoms initially resemble those of heartburn but evolve over time. It involves severe chest pain radiating to the left shoulder and arm, often accompanied by dizziness and weakness. The pain from a heart attack persists longer and is more intense than acid reflux or heartburn.

While acid reflux and heartburn pain tend to be mild and temporary, chest pain from a heart attack remains persistent and requires immediate medical attention. Managing acid reflux and heartburn with lifestyle changes and medications can help prevent confusion with serious heart issues. Regular health checkups are recommended to monitor your condition and stay proactive about your well-being.