Heartburn or Something Worse?

Maybe you’re lying in bed watching TV when it starts—a discomfort in your chest or even at the base of your sternum. As you sit up, you might run through the things you’ve had to eat or drink that day.

However, questions may still plague you: Is this heartburn from too much coffee or that slice of pizza? Or is your pain a sign of something more serious?

It’s easy to understand why you’d be worried. Heart disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States and accounts for one-third of deaths. But heartburn is also common.

According to a study published by The Washington Post, about 60 million Americans experience heartburn at least once a month, while 805,000 adults in the United States have heart attacks annually.

So, how can we tell the difference?

One important thing to understand is that, despite its name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. It’s a condition that occurs when stomach acid flows back into your esophagus. It just feels heart-related since the esophagus and heart are so close together.

Some common symptoms of heartburn include:

• A burning sensation in your chest. This is most common after eating and at night.
• A sour or acidic taste in your mouth.
• Chest pain that worsens when lying down or bending over.
• Feeling like food is stuck in your throat or chest.

Fatty, fried or spicy foods often trigger it, but it also can be caused by acidic fruits, chocolate, mints, eating large meals, eating too fast or lying down too soon after eating.

A heart attack, on the other hand, is a blockage of blood flow to the heart. And, unlike heartburn, heart attack discomfort can’t be remedied with antacids or changing positions.

Though symptoms can vary, men’s symptoms often include:

• Cold sweats.
• Feeling light-headed.
• Middle or left chest pain that feels like a squeezing pressure. That pain can be persistent or come and go.
• Pain spreading to the jaw, neck, back or arms.
• Shortness of breath.

While some women have these symptoms, others have very different heart attack experiences from men. One study found that 40% of women who have had a heart attack reported symptoms similar to heartburn just before they had a heart attack. Others reported not having any chest pain, but they felt weak, dizzy and a sense of “impending doom” that they confused with anxiety.

According to the American Heart Association, the average age for men to experience heart attacks is 65.5 years, but for women it’s 72. However, heart attacks among younger people are on the rise—especially among women 50 and younger.

So, if you’re still unsure whether you’re dealing with heartburn or something more serious, remember it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Either way, your doctor can help. They may suggest dietary changes or help you determine your risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, family history, age and your weight.

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