What is the difference between chest pain and heartburn?

Indigestion and heartburn are two frequent (GI) issues often discussed. Although they can occur simultaneously, they are usually considered different GI problems. If you’re experiencing the stomach becoming upset, acid reflux, or heartburn, what can you determine if you’re suffering from indigestion or heartburn?

What exactly is HeartBurn?

Heartburn happens when stomach acid is pushed back into the esophagus because of an inflexible or weak lower esophageal muscle. It could indicate a stable condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, heartburn is not connected with the heart at all. Instead, the confusion stems from the place of pain in the chest.

It produces mucus to protect its lining from the acid it utilizes to aid digestion. The food pipe does not have this defense, which means acid reflux could damage the pipe’s lining. In most people, acid reflux isn’t likely to cause any damage.

The reason why people suffering from acid reflux feel pain isn’t comprehended. According to the cardiologist in Kolkata, nerves that are sensitive to acid could be responsible for the pain.

What is Chest Pain?

Angina is a form of chest pain like the pain experienced by a heart attack. However, the decreased blood flow to the heart caused by coronary artery blockage is caused by narrowing the vessel instead.

The most well-known type of angina is an occasional pain that disappears following rest or treatment. A chest pain that is unstable increases the risk of having a heart attack.

The signs and symptoms of Chest pain

The signs and symptoms of chest pain and heartburn appear to be similar. Therefore, it is important to differentiate between both. 

Heartburn symptoms include:-

  • A burning sensation in the chest.
  • The pain gets worse when sitting down or bent over
  • A bitter or acidic taste that is present in the mouth 

The symptoms of chest pain include:-

  • exchanging the cold sweat
  • feeling tired and exhausted
  • feeling sick or nauseous
  • vomiting
  • Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
  • Treating heartburn vs. indigestion

Treatment for Chest pain and heartburn:-

  • Antacids are a mild treatment for occasional but not severe heartburn symptoms. Antacids help neutralize stomach acid. You should not take antacids without the advice of the doctor. Regular use may result in GI irritation.
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) as a long-lasting treatment. PPIs help by reducing acid levels present in your stomach, which allows your stomach to heal.
  • Histamine-H2-receptor antagonists (H2 blockers). They also aim to reduce stomach acid; however, they’re not as potent as PPIs.
  • Talk to your doctor before taking any herbal treatment to treat GI problems because you could accidentally make your stomach pain or indigestion worse.

Do other symptoms of digestion create chest discomfort?

It’s not the only digestive issue that could cause chest discomfort. An esophageal muscle strain in your esophagus could cause the same symptoms. The pain from an attack on the gallbladder may extend to your chest. There may be nausea or an intense, continuous discomfort in the upper right or middle abdomen, especially following a fatty meal. 

How to tell whether it’s chest pain or heartburn?

It’s not easy or impossible to pinpoint the cause of chest discomfort. Be aware of the following heart-related symptoms:

  • A sudden pressure, tightening, or crushing pain felt in the middle of the chest lasts longer than a couple of minutes.
  • Pain that spreads to the neck, back, jaw, shoulders, back, or arms, particularly the left arm
  • Chest discomfort that is accompanied by breathlessness, dizziness, sweating, or nausea
  • Tightness or pressure on the chest after physical exercise or when you’re feeling emotional tension.

Which is worse between Chest pain and heartburn?

Angina, heartburn, and attack can feel similar. Unfortunately, even experienced physicians can’t determine the difference based on your patient’s medical history and an examination. So, if visiting an emergency room for symptoms of chest pains. The doctor will test, to determine if you’re suffering from an attack on your heart.

Consult your doctor if you notice an unusual chest pain that subsides in hours, and you didn’t seek medical assistance. For example, heartburn and a pending heart attack can trigger symptoms that ease over time.

Heartburn has no direct relation to the heartbeat in any manner. The confusion is due to the area of pain in the chest.

Pain or discomfort in the chest like squeeze, pressure, the sensation of fullness or pain lasting more than a couple of minutes or fades and then comes back.

Final Thoughts:-

As we know, chest pain is highly related to the heart. Besides, heart conditions are life-threatening. However, there is a key difference between heartburn and chest pain. It is that heart problems cause chest pain and develop complications. Besides, heartburn may occur due to indigestion. 

Whatever the reason, it is important to take immediate actions possible. Therefore, it is wise to book an appointment with the best cardiologist in Kolkata. Besides, you have one advantage if you book online consultation through Credihealth. Credihealth possesses a list of doctors and patients.

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