Chest pain can be a sign of something very serious, such as a heart attack, or something not so serious, such as heartburn. So it’s normal for people with chest discomfort to ask, “Are these heartburn or heart attack symptoms?”
To better understand the difference, it is helpful to compare the symptoms of heartburn with those of a heart attack.
Other than heartburn or a heart attack, possible causes of chest pain include: stomach ulcers, a panic attack, muscle problems, pneumonia.
Heartburn symptoms: Pain and discomfort in the chest area can be a symptom of heartburn. This pain often is described as a burning sensation that may move up into the neck. Other heartburn symptoms may include:
• A sensation of food or liquid coming up into the throat or mouth (regurgitation), especially when bending over or lying down.
• Bitter or acid taste in the mouth.
Heart Attack symptoms: One of the main differences between heartburn and heart attack symptoms is that with a heart attack, a person may also have:
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Light-headedness
• Weakness
Heartburn and heart attack symptoms can be confused because they both can cause pain in the middle of the chest. But, other symptoms such as nausea and sweating, that can occur with a heart attack do not usually happen with heartburn.
Submitted by Springfield Moms premium sponsor Prairie Heart Institute. For more information on their services, visit their website here.
