Chest pain is a common symptom and can be attributed to various causes. One of the most common causes of chest pain is acid reflux, aka gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
At the same time, chest pain can also be a symptom of a heart attack, which is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Therefore, it’s crucial to know the differences between the two and how to tell if your chest pain is a heart attack or acid reflux.
Heart Attack
A heart attack is a serious medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to the heart is disrupted, leading to damage to the heart muscle. While heart attacks present in varying ways, chest pain is the most common symptom.
Below are the characteristics of chest pain during a heart attack:.
Location and Severity
The location of the chest pain during a heart attack is usually behind the breastbone or slightly to the left of the center of the chest. It may also radiate to the left arm, back, or jaw.
The pain is typically described as a crushing, squeezing, or pressure-like sensation, and it may be severe and persistent.
Durations
The chest pain during a heart attack typically lasts for more than a few minutes and may sometimes persist for hours. It’s also usually not affected by body position or breathing.
Other Symptoms
Heart attack victims may experience other accompanying symptoms, including:.
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Weakness or fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
Acid Reflux
Acid reflux, or GERD, is a condition where stomach acid and digestive juices flow back into the esophagus. This reflux can cause heartburn, regurgitation, and other symptoms, including chest pain.
Below are the distinguishing characteristics of chest pain during acid reflux:.
Location and Severity
The chest pain during acid reflux is usually centered behind the breastbone and is associated with burning, discomfort, or a stabbing sensation.
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The pain may increase when lying down or bending over, and it may improve with antacids or changes in body position.
Durations
The chest pain due to acid reflux is usually short-lived and tends to occur after meals or when lying down. It typically lasts for a few minutes to hours.
Other Symptoms
Acid reflux patients may experience other accompanying symptoms, including:.
- Heartburn
- Regurgitation of food or sour liquid
- Burping
- Bloating
- Nausea
Differentiating Heart Attack and Acid Reflux
It’s important to note that the characteristics of chest pain during a heart attack and acid reflux can overlap. E.g., both may cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and nausea.
However, there are some distinguishing features to help differentiate the two:.
- Heart attack chest pain is usually severe, crushing, and persistent, while acid reflux chest pain is typically burning, discomfort, or a stabbing sensation.
- Heart attack chest pain may radiate to the left arm, back, or jaw, while acid reflux pain is usually centered behind the breastbone.
- Heart attack chest pain persists for more than a few minutes and may persist for hours, while acid reflux chest pain is typically short-lived and may occur after meals.
- Heart attack chest pain is not affected by body position or breathing, while acid reflux chest pain may worsen when lying down or bending over.
- Heart attack chest pain is usually accompanied by other symptoms like shortness of breath, weakness or fatigue, sweating, nausea or vomiting, lightheadedness or dizziness, while acid reflux chest pain is more commonly associated with heartburn, burping, regurgitation of food, bloating, and nausea.
When to Seek Medical Help
If you experience chest pain, especially if it’s severe, seek immediate medical attention. If you think you might be experiencing a heart attack, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
Don’t try to drive yourself or wait for someone else to take you to the hospital. The quicker you receive treatment for a heart attack, the better.
If you experience chest pain that you believe is due to acid reflux, you can try over-the-counter antacids or other remedies to relieve your symptoms. However, if your symptoms persist or worsen, it’s advisable to see your doctor.
Your doctor can recommend prescription medications or further tests if necessary. Don’t ignore chest pain, even if you think it’s due to acid reflux.
In Conclusion
Chest pain can be due to various causes, including heart attacks and acid reflux. While both may cause chest discomfort, they have distinguishing characteristics.
Knowing how to tell the difference between the two is crucial, considering that heart attacks require immediate medical attention. If you experience chest pain, seek medical attention immediately, especially if the pain is severe, crushing, or persistent. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
