Chest discomfort is a frightening experience, and one of the first questions people ask is whether it’s a simple case of heartburn or something more serious, like a heart attack. While both conditions can cause similar sensations, understanding the differences is critical.
Why This Matters
Many people dismiss chest pain as indigestion, but delaying treatment for a heart attack can be fatal. Conversely, unnecessary emergency room visits due to heartburn strain healthcare systems. The key is knowing when to seek immediate medical attention.
Key Differences in Symptoms
Both heartburn and heart attacks can cause chest discomfort, making diagnosis difficult even for healthcare professionals.
- Heart Attack: Often described as pressure, tightness, squeezing, or constriction in the chest, rather than sharp pain. This sensation can spread to the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, or nausea.
- Heartburn: Caused by stomach acid rising into the esophagus, heartburn typically feels like a burning sensation in the chest or upper abdomen that may rise toward the throat.
However, these distinctions aren’t always clear-cut. Heart attack symptoms can be atypical, and digestive symptoms don’t always present predictably. If you’ve never experienced heartburn before, don’t assume that’s what you’re feeling.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
If your chest discomfort is severe, persistent, or worsening, seek immediate medical evaluation. If the symptoms don’t resolve with antacids, that’s a sign you may need professional care.
Risk Factors and Context
Your age, health history, and lifestyle play a role. The risk of a heart attack increases with age: for men over 45, for women over 55. Smoking, high cholesterol, and prior cardiovascular issues increase the likelihood of heart-related chest pain.
Women and Atypical Symptoms
Heart attack symptoms in women often differ from the “classic” chest pressure. Women may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, or pain that feels more like indigestion. These subtler signs are easily dismissed.
Why They Feel Similar
Both heartburn and heart attacks can trigger similar sensations because the heart and esophagus share nearby nerve pathways. The brain struggles to pinpoint the exact source of discomfort.
When to Call 911
Call 911 immediately if you experience:
- Severe, persistent chest pressure or tightness.
- Chest symptoms accompanied by sweating, vomiting, shortness of breath, dizziness, or weakness.
- Pain radiating to the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back.
- New chest symptoms if you have a history of heart disease.
Do not hesitate to call 911 if you are unsure; doctors would rather evaluate a false alarm than have someone delay care during a true emergency.
Other Symptoms to Watch For
Seek medical attention for:
- Dizziness, which could indicate arrhythmia or valve issues.
- Heart palpitations or racing heart.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Nausea, especially in women.
- Shortness of breath.
Final Thoughts
Chest pain is never something to ignore. While heartburn is often manageable, a heart attack requires immediate intervention. If you’re unsure, err on the side of caution and seek medical help. Knowing the difference could save your life.
