When it comes to heart health, it’s often difficult and scary to tell when something is serious. Determining heartburn vs. heart attack symptoms is difficult when they both can feel similar. Both can cause chest pain or discomfort, burning sensations and even shortness of breath.
While both heartburn and heart attacks can share some symptoms, understanding their differences is critical, as time can be the difference between life and death.
However, if you think you’re experiencing a heart attack, call 911 immediately or seek immediate medical attention at an emergency department.
Symptoms of a heart attack
A heart attack happens when your body’s blood flow to your heart muscle is restricted or blocked. This prevents oxygen from getting to your heart, which can result in tissue damage or even death.
The most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort. This pain may feel like a pressure, tightness or a squeezing sensation. It often radiates to other areas of the body, such as the neck, jaw, back, arms or stomach. Shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, cold sweats and an overall feeling of weakness are also common symptoms that may accompany a heart attack.
It’s also important to note that women and men may experience different heart attack symptoms. However, neither should be ignored.
If you experience these symptoms, it’s essential to call 911 immediately. Even if you are unsure whether you are experiencing a heart attack, it is always better to seek medical attention than to risk waiting.
Symptoms of heartburn
On the other hand, heartburn is a condition usually caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus, leading to lining irritation. People commonly refer to this as acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which occurs when acid reflux becomes chronic.
The most common symptom of acid reflux is a burning sensation in the chest or throat. Triggers can include eating certain foods, lying down after eating and consuming large or acidic meals.
Eating close to bedtime or lying flat on your back can worsen heartburn symptoms due to the position of the body allowing stomach acid to move upward into the esophagus.
Acid reflux can cause other symptoms as well, such as:
- Food regurgitation
- A sour or bitter taste in the mouth
- A sensation of food being stuck in your throat.
- Nausea and vomiting
Symptoms of heartburn, GERD and acid reflux are typically less severe compared to those same symptoms of a heart attack.
Heartburn vs. heart attack: How they differ
Even though they share a few common symptoms, heart attacks and heartburn are very different conditions. Understanding key differences in heartburn vs. heart attack signs helps you determine the main differences between the two.
Chest pain and discomfort
Heart attack: Chest pain caused by a heart attack feels like heavy pressure, tightness or even squeezing. Pain can last for several minutes straight, or it can come and go. Pressure can radiate to your neck, jaw, back, arms or even your stomach. A heart attack can also cause shortness of breath, dizziness and cold sweats.
Heartburn: Heartburn typically causes a burning feeling, but it’s isolated in your chest and throat and most commonly happens after you eat or lie down. Burning usually stays in your chest and doesn’t cause pain to radiate to other parts of your body. Heartburn pain tends to subside after taking antacids or other medications that neutralize stomach acid.
Where pain occurs
Heart attack: The pain of a heart attack often occurs in other areas of your body, not just your chest. This usually includes the neck, jaw and, most commonly, the left arm. Pain in other parts of the body, particularly in the left arm, is one of the most common indicators of a heart attack and can distinguish it from heartburn.
Heartburn: Pain from acid reflux or heartburn usually remains in the chest and doesn’t spread to other parts of your body. You may also get a sour taste in your mouth. Symptoms like dizziness or shortness of breath don’t often occur.
Nausea and vomiting
Heart attack: Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of a heart attack. These symptoms usually occur alongside more serious symptoms, like chest pain and pressure.
Heartburn: Nausea from heartburn is usually much milder, and vomiting is much less common. However, in severe cases of acid reflux or GERD, nausea and vomiting can happen. If they do occur, they’re usually much milder than a heart attack.
Shortness of breath
Heart attack: Shortness of breath is one of the most common symptoms of a heart attack. As your heart struggles to get enough oxygen, it leads to difficulty breathing.
Heartburn: Shortness of breath is not typically associated with heartburn.
Triggers
Heart attack: Heart attacks can happen at any time, including while you’re sleeping. Stress, physical activity or a large meal can sometimes trigger them.
Heartburn: Heartburn usually occurs after eating specific foods or large, rich meals. Lying down shortly after eating can also trigger an episode of heartburn. Foods that are spicy, fatty or contain caffeine are common culprits.
When to seek medical attention
Even if you’re unsure if it’s heartburn or a heart attack, you should seek immediate medical attention. If you start to feel chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea or pain in other parts of your body, you should call 911 or head to the nearest emergency department as soon as you can.
If you suffer from acid reflux or GERD, you should still consult a doctor quickly. Chronic heartburn can lead to complications, including esophageal damage or an increased risk of esophageal cancer.
How we can help
Understanding the main difference between heartburn vs. heart attack symptoms is the first step in knowing when to seek immediate medical attention or make an appointment with your primary care provider.
Both heart attacks and heartburn can cause chest pain, but when it comes to their causes and treatments, there’s a big difference in their severity. When in doubt, it’s better to be cautious and seek medical attention immediately. If you have any symptoms of a heart attack, it’s important to call 911 to get you to an emergency department as quickly as possible. Your health and safety are the most important priorities.
Learn about the heart and vascular services we offer at Mercy Health.
