Chest pain explained: Is it heartburn or a heart attack?

Many people feel chest pain and immediately worry they might be having a heart attack. However, sometimes, it is simply heartburn, which can feel very similar. Knowing the difference between these conditions is important because a heart attack needs emergency medical help, while heartburn is usually less serious. In this blog, we will look at how to tell them apart, what symptoms to look for and what treatments are available.

What is a heart attack?

Heart attacks happen when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked. This usually arises because of a blood clot in one of the heart’s arteries. Without blood, the heart muscle cannot get the oxygen it requires, and it starts to die.

A heart attack is a medical emergency. Quick treatment can save your life and reduce long-term damage to your heart.

Symptoms of a heart attack

Heart attack symptoms can vary, but common signs include:

• Discomfort or pain in the centre or left side of the chest. It can feel heavy, tight or like pressure. Some people say it feels like a weight on their chest.
• Pain spreads to the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or back
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Breaking out in a cold sweat
• Feeling light-headed or dizzy
• A sense of fear or doom

Not everyone has the same symptoms. Some people, especially women, older people and those with diabetes, might have milder or unusual symptoms, such as tiredness or indigestion-like discomfort.

Diagnosis of a heart attack

Doctors diagnose a heart attack by:

• Asking about your symptoms and health history
• Doing an ECG (electrocardiogram) to check the heart’s electrical activity
• Taking blood tests to look for cardiac enzymes
• Sometimes doing heart scans or an angiogram (a special X-ray of the heart arteries)

Treatment for a heart attack

The sooner you get treatment during a heart attack, the better your chances of survival. Treatment might include:

• Medicines to break up clots and improve blood flow
• Procedures like angioplasty (where doctors open a blocked artery with a balloon and sometimes placing a small tube called a stent)
• Surgery in some cases

A heart attack can mean staying in hospital, seeing heart specialists, having an operation and continuing medication. These things can cost a lot of money, depending on where you live. A health insurance policy can help you pay for hospital stays, medicines and any follow-up care you might need after going home.

What is heartburn?

Heartburn is a painful burning feeling in the chest, usually after eating. It happens if acid from your stomach goes back up into your oesophagus (the tube that carries food to your stomach). This is also called acid reflux. Heartburn is common and usually not dangerous, but it can be very uncomfortable.

Symptoms of heartburn

Heartburn symptoms include:

• A burning feeling in the chest, behind the breastbone
• Pain that often starts after eating or when lying down
• Sour or bitter taste in the mouth
• Feeling like food is coming back up
• Occasional cough or sore throat

Treatment for heartburn

Heartburn treatment is usually simpler. If you only get it now and then, you can try:

• Eating smaller meals
• Avoiding spicy, fatty or acidic foods
• Not lying down straight after eating
• Raising the head of your bed if you get heartburn at night
• Taking antacids from a pharmacy

If you get heartburn often, you may need medicine to reduce stomach acid. In rare cases, if medicines do not help, surgery might be needed.

Differences between heartburn and a heart attack

It can be hard to tell the difference between heartburn and a heart attack because both can cause chest pain. Here are some tips to help tell them apart:

Conclusion

Chest pain can be scary. It is important to know that heartburn is common and usually harmless, but a heart attack is serious and needs urgent help. Since both conditions can feel similar, it is necessary to understand the differences in symptoms and seek medical help when needed. In case hospitalisation and treatment are required for you or any of your family members, having a health insurance policy for family can help cover the expenses.

While you do your best to look after your health, it is also important to plan for times when you may get ill or have an accident. If you would like help choosing the right health insurance, fill out the form on this page. An expert advisor will guide you to find a policy that suits you and your family.

FAQs

• Can heartburn feel like a heart attack?

Yes, heartburn can cause chest pain that feels scary and similar to a heart attack. However, heart attack pain is usually heavier and may spread further to the arm, neck or jaw. If in doubt, get medical help.

• How long does heartburn last?

Heartburn pain usually lasts minutes to a couple of hours and often gets better with antacids or standing up.

• What foods make heartburn worse?

Spicy food, fatty food, chocolate, coffee and alcohol can all make heartburn worse.

• Can stress cause heartburn or a heart attack?

Stress does not cause a heart attack directly, but it can make heart problems worse. Stress can also trigger heartburn in some people.

• Should I see a doctor for heartburn?

If you have heartburn often (more than twice a week), trouble swallowing, weight loss or vomiting, you should see a doctor.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a certified medical and/or nutrition professional for any questions. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.