Heartburn is when you feel a burning in your esophagus, just behind your chest bone. This is usually caused from acid reflux, but not all the time. This burning sensation is caused by the stomach acids working their way up into the esophagus. Everyone has experienced heartburn at one time or another in his or her life. It is important to know an isolated event from a chronic condition of heartburn and for chronic heartburn sufferers to know when it is more than just heartburn.
Chronic Heartburn
Long-term heartburn and acid reflux are usually associated with a condition called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). GERD has symptoms of a burning in the chest and throat. Sometimes that burning will continue up and leave a sour taste in the mouth. This may cause you to cough, but it will be a dry, nonproductive cough. The sour taste in the mouth can eventually cause nausea and vomiting. In addition to the burning in the chest, there can be discomfort and pain. It is important to pay attention to what the normal symptoms are for you, so you can also recognize when they are different.
Similar Symptoms
Heart attack has similar symptoms in that it will cause chest pain and discomfort. It may even have a similar burning pain in the chest. Many people can experience a "silent type" heart attack where the only symptoms are slight chest pain. Both symptoms can cause nausea and vomiting. Paying more attention to the specific symptoms will help to identify which one is which.
Usually heartburn will have a more intense centralized feeling. It is easier to pinpoint the pain to one specific area or a line of pain behind the chest. Heartburn more commonly burns all the way up the throat. Chest pain from a heart attack is hard to centralize to just one area. It is a broad and sometimes crushing pain. The pain of heartburn will also stay fairly localized, where as heart attack pain can spread to other areas, such as the back, jaw and arms.
More Than Heartburn
If the pain moves into the arm or the jaw and a shortness of breath is associated with the chest pain, it is an indication that a heart attack is happening. Often, heartburn will happen irregardless of activity, while heart attacks are often aggravated or started by activity. There will also be a more dramatic change in blood pressure with a heart attack, whereas heartburn causes minimal to no change in blood pressure. If there is ever a concern that your heartburn is different than usual, do not hesitate to contact your doctor or call 911.
