Heartburn or heart attack? The difference

A

heart attack

is often mistaken for

heartburn

and vice-versa owing to the

chest pain

. How does one tell the difference and when does one need to worry? Preetu Nair speaks to Kochi-based gastroenterologist and IMA-Kerala’s research cell chairman Dr Rajeev Jayadevan to clear the confusion
What is the difference between heartburn and a heart attack?
Heartburn is a burning sensation behind the sternum (breastbone) at the centre of the chest.

It’s commonly due to backtracking of acidic fluid from the stomach into the food pipe, known as acid reflux. On the other hand, damage to the heart muscle owing to a block in the heart’s blood supply is known as a heart attack.
How to find out if your chest pain is heartburn or the sign of a heart attack?

A heartburn tends to follow meals and is worse while lying down. There could be excessive salivation and swallowed food might regurgitate into the back of the throat. But the chest pain (angina) of a heart attack, caused by partial blockage of coronary arteries, is more intense and often associated with sweating and vomiting. It gets worse with exertion and is relieved upon resting. The pain may radiate to the neck, shoulders or arms. It occurs more commonly among people with coronary risk factors like smoking, diabetes and hypertension. The symptoms can sometimes be misinterpreted. If a person having a heart attack doesn’t seek medical attention by assuming it’s only heartburn, serious complications can result. When in doubt, it is safer to rule out a cardiac problem first.
Can heartburn indicate an underlying heart problem?
The older the person is, the more likely it is that the heartburn is owing to an underlying heart issue. Lifestyle changes can help in case of acid reflux. One needs to avoid untimely or irregular meals, greasy food, coffee, alcohol, keep weight in check, and eat a balanced diet.