Heartburn or Heart Attack: Should I Be Concerned?

Heartburn or Heart Attack: Everything You Need to Know About Heartburn

Heartburn is a burning pain in your chest, just behind your breastbone. The pain is often worse after eating, in the evening, or when lying down or bending over.  Another symptom can be a bitter or acidic taste in the mouth. Occasional heartburn is common and no cause for alarm. Most people can manage the discomfort of heartburn on their own with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications.  Heartburn that is more frequent may require medical care.

What is Heartburn?

Heartburn is a discomfort caused by digestive acid moving into the tube that carries swallowed food to your stomach (esophagus).                                                    

Features of heartburn often include:

• Burning sensation in the upper abdomen which moves up into the chest
• Often occurs after eating, while lying down or bending over
• Can usually be relieved by antacids
• May be accompanied by a sour taste in your mouth — especially when you're lying down
• May be accompanied by a small amount of stomach contents rising up into the back of your throat (regurgitation)

How Do You Know If Symptoms Are Heartburn or Your Heart?  

Symptoms of heartburn include:

• A burning pain in the chest that usually occurs after eating and may occur at night
• Pain that worsens when lying down or bending over
• Bitter or acidic taste in the mouth

Heartburn and heart attack symptoms may feel very much alike. Even experienced doctors can't always tell the difference from your medical history and a physical exam. That's why, if you go to the emergency room because of chest pain, you'll immediately have tests to rule out a heart attack.

When to See a Doctor

Seek immediate help if you experience severe chest pain or pressure, especially when combined with other signs and symptoms such as pain in the arm or jaw or difficulty breathing. Chest pain may be a symptom of a heart attack.

Make an appointment with your doctor if:

• Heartburn occurs more than twice a week
• Symptoms persist despite use of over-the-counter medications
• You have difficulty swallowing
• You have persistent nausea or vomiting
• You have weight loss because of poor appetite or difficulty eating

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Speak to your medical professional or pharmacist for more information.

The material in this blog was sourced from:  mayoclinic.org; travel.gc.ca; cdc.gov/travel. It is intended for information purposes only and should not be used in place of consultation with a healthcare professional. Participating retailers/pharmacies, vendors, and/or agencies are not responsible for errors, omissions, or inconsistencies with respect to the information contained in this flyer and do not accept liability whatsoever for reliance by the reader on the information contained herein.