Heartburn or coronary heart attack: When to worry

Intense heartburn and heart attack can be tricky to explain to aside. Fully grasp how they normally vary, and master when to get instant help.

By Mayo Clinic Workers

You have just eaten a huge meal and really feel a burning feeling in your upper body. Heartburn, ideal? Likely, but there is certainly a probability the upper body pain is induced by lowered blood circulation to your heart (angina) or an real heart assault.

How substantially do the signs of heartburn and coronary heart attack overlap?

Heartburn, angina and heart attack may possibly experience pretty substantially alike. Even expert medical professionals won’t be able to often explain to the difference from your health-related background and a physical test. That is why, if you go to the emergency room since of upper body discomfort, you can expect to right away have tests to rule out a coronary heart attack.

What is the most effective thing to do if you have upper body suffering and you happen to be not sure what’s causing it?

If you have persistent upper body agony and you are not absolutely sure it truly is heartburn, connect with 911 or unexpected emergency professional medical support.

Get in touch with your health care provider if you experienced an episode of unexplained upper body pain that went absent within a couple of hours and you did not search for healthcare notice. The two heartburn and a producing coronary heart attack can trigger indications that subside following a whilst. The pain does not have to very last a extended time to be a warning indicator.

What is heartburn?

Heartburn is discomfort or genuine agony caused by digestive acid going into the tube that carries swallowed food stuff to your abdomen (esophagus).

Typical options of heartburn incorporate:

  • Begins as a burning sensation in the higher stomach and moves up into the chest
  • Generally occurs after ingesting or when lying down or bending in excess of
  • May possibly awaken you from slumber, especially if you have eaten within two hrs of likely to bed
  • Is ordinarily relieved by antacids
  • May possibly be accompanied by a sour style in your mouth — particularly when you might be lying down
  • May well be accompanied by a small total of stomach contents growing up into the again of your throat (regurgitation)

What indicators and symptoms are far more likely to arise with a coronary heart assault than with heartburn?

The “textbook” coronary heart assault will involve unexpected, crushing upper body soreness and difficulty respiratory, usually brought on by exertion. Numerous heart attacks do not occur that way, nevertheless. The symptoms and signs of a coronary heart attack differ significantly from individual to individual. Heartburn alone can accompany other symptoms of heart attack.

Common heart assault signs and signs or symptoms consist of:

  • Strain, tightness, pain, or a squeezing or aching feeling in your chest or arms that may well distribute to your neck, jaw or back
  • Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or stomach suffering
  • Shortness of breath
  • Cold sweat
  • Exhaustion
  • Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness

The most widespread symptom of coronary heart assault for each guys and gals is chest discomfort or soreness. But girls are much more probably than males to expertise some of the other indicators, such as jaw or again pain, shortness of breath, and nausea or vomiting. Heart problems are much more popular between men and women who have large blood force, diabetes or superior cholesterol. Cigarette smoking and currently being chubby are other chance components.

Can other digestive signs or symptoms induce upper body ache?

A muscle spasm in your esophagus may well trigger chest pain related to that of a coronary heart assault. The pain of a gallbladder attack also can spread to your upper body. With gallbladder disorder, you may see nausea and an rigorous, constant ache in the higher middle or upper appropriate abdomen — specifically immediately after a fatty food. The agony may perhaps shift to your shoulders, neck or arms. All over again, if you are not certain request clinical awareness instantly.