What's Causing That Chest Pain: Heartburn Or Heart Attack?

How do you know if the pain in your chest is due to heartburn or a more serious cause like a heart attack? In this episode, Dr. Afrin N. Kamal, a gastroenterologist with Stanford Medicine joins us to explain the signs and symptoms that patients should be aware of for both conditions, the differences between them and what symptoms may cause confusion for patients when the discomfort presents itself in their chest. Dr. Kamal provides expert insight on acid reflux and explains the long-term effects of acid reflux on the esophagus. She also offers tips for patients who experience frequent heartburn, such as when it's time to put down the antacids and go see the doctor.

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[GastroGirl]

As the doctor explains in the video, heartburn, despite its name, is not related to the heart. It’s a sensation of burning or discomfort that occurs in the chest area, typically behind the breastbone. This feeling is caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus (the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach), which is close to the heart but not actually part of it.

However, the symptoms of heartburn can sometimes mimic those of heart-related issues, especially since both can cause discomfort or pain in the chest. Heartburn typically causes a burning sensation that rises from the stomach to the chest and throat, often after eating or when lying down. However, because the chest pain associated with heartburn can feel similar to heart attack symptoms, people may sometimes mistake one for the other.

It’s important to note that chest pain, especially if it's accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, or pain radiating to the arm or jaw, should not be ignored. In these cases, seeking immediate medical attention is recommended to rule out any heart-related issues.

The name "heartburn" comes from the location of the sensation, which can feel like it's in the area of the heart, but it’s related to the digestive system rather than the cardiovascular system.

[zacfromArkansas]

This video is great. I just left the ER due to chest discomfort/pain due to acid reflux. It gave me severe anxiety and I nearly had a panic attack thinking I was about to have a heart attack. My EKG and chest x-ray came back normal.

I did not have any crushing pain in my chest but my anxiety did cause to me to feel short of breathe and my heart rate was elevated. Tums helped almost immediately but because I was overcaffeinated my anxiety never really subsided completely. So if you eat poor (like I did today) and you feel chest discomfort - even if it feels like you're going to have a heart attack, just like the Dr. here says, if you're not having crushing chest pain... you're more than likely just experiencing symptoms of acid reflux.... and take it from me.... it can be VERY deceiving!

[DewiiAljoe]

Thanks for Sharing i went to the emergency room several times because of me having severe heartburn

[LaziestTechinCyberSec]

The ER wait for a complaint of chest pain is short. When I had chest pain, they put me ahead of several people who were visibly sicker and one of whom seemed to be teetering on the edge of consciousness.

[StressMats]

If 30% of emergency visits for chest pain is heartburn, how many turns out to be heart attack? I hope it's not 70% 😐

[debbiebridges]

I get pain in chest and burping is the only way to releve it. I was diagnosed with a small hiatal hernia about 20 years ago, could this be the cause? It happens about once or twice a week even when I have not eaten anything.

[ThisalDesilva-xd]

Hi reply for this pls i have fealing heart burning yesterday also little pressur in middle of chest, alson some kind of heart painlike little spark, arm pain left and right both its come while heart pain and also its come without any heart issues myecg is normal what kind of thing i have i cant study well with this i have exam in november pls reply

[lseh]

(45F)... Every 2-4 months I get this HORRIFIC pain. It sometimes starts as a pain in the middle of my chest, that shoots straight through to my back... sometimes it's reversed... Starts in the middle of my back and to my chest. In either case it comes on fast and strong and I'm now screaming... I can't stand, sit, lay, walk, kneel, bend over... Nothing helps. I feel like I'm being tortured or gonna die. I always say it's worse than labour. I also have a hard time breathing (hurts), feel faint from all the pain and discomfort, sweat, etc. I do eat about 4 Gaviscon tablets and I'm lucky if it all subsides within 20 mins or so. No one takes me seriously. ER doc says it's heartburn and to just use a wedge pillow and keep Gaviscon Extra strength on me at all times. (I read that US & 🇨🇦 or UK Gaviscon is quite different, I'm CND). I'm so confused as I keep hearing that back pain, difficulty breathing, sweats etc are all heart attack related. I never know what to do... Fight it out at home or call an ambulance?

[patricksmeda]

Experiencing chest pain at least 3 times at night for the last month which was checked for heart condition at casualty recently and tests were normal.Have a history of 3 MI's (5 stents) chestpain sometimes is a burning feeling with pain in left arm and back accompanied with nausea and then sometimes pressure on the chest..BP readings drop to 80/45 and then 139/ 95 fluctuating continually..very confusing 😂

[Crystalpalaceliquor]

heartburn is not in the same area as the heart

[gizzle]

Jesus is the only Healer. The only true peace and hope.

Doctors always say go to ER with anything chest related.. then your stuck with 1000s in bills for constant visits and most the time they did next to nothing. Specialists who might figure it out are months away for an appointment, months after that for procedures and then tell you if you have anything serious happen before then go to ER.. the one thing not mentioned is that when you feel chest pains linked to digestive issues, it can trigger anxiety, spike your heart rate, and cause you to sweat.. all which makes you think your faint and that it’s your heart. GERD meds also can have side effects that give you other issues.. lose weight, take pre and probiotics. Watch what you eat carefully, do cardio. Trust in God.