Is
it heartburn or something else?
Many heartburn sufferers worldwide ask this
question. Heartburn is a symptom that produces
fear in many people. It could be as sign of
something serious or even life-threatening such as
heart attack. But all of them definitely require
evaluation. It could even be something as simple
as a pulled muscle.
Other
than heartburn or heart attack, chest pain may be
caused by stomach ulcers, a panic attack, muscle
problems, or pneumonia. Often, the pain caused by
severe heartburn episode and that caused by a
heart attack is extremely difficult to distinguish
even for trained emergency room staff. Heartburn
is one of the most common reasons a person goes to
the emergency room. While many may be suffering
from a heart attack some may be experiencing
severe heartburn.
Heartburn
is a symptom of GERD or gastroesophageal reflux
disease. It is caused by the backing up of the
stomach contents into the esophagus. The burning
sensation occurs when the stomach acid irritates
the sensitive lining of the esophagus. Possible
signs of heartburn that could be mistaken for a
heart attack include:
· A
sharp, burning sensation just below the
breastbone.
· The
pain generally does not radiate to the shoulders,
neck, or arms, but in some people it can.
·
Pain
usually comes on after meals, when lying on the
back, when exercising, or when during periods of
anxiety.
·
Symptoms
usually respond quickly to antacids.
·
Rarely
accompanied by a cold sweat.
Heart
attack or myocardial infarction occurs when blood
flow is interrupted due to complete blockage of a
coronary artery resulting in death of the heart
muscle. Possible signs of angina or heart
attack:
·
A
feeling of fullness, tightness, or dull pressure
or pain generally in the center of the chest.
·
Sudden
chest pain or pressure that worsens.
·
Pain
may radiate to the shoulders, neck, jaw or arms.
·
Pain
often responds quickly to nitroglycerin.
·
Shortness
of breath.
·
Often
accompanied by a cold sweat.
·
Dizziness
or lightheadedness.
So
how you could know whether it is
heartburn or something else? Diagnosis of heartburn is
usually done on the basis of type of the pain,
location of the pain, timing and radiation of the
pain, things that make the pain better or worse,
associated symptoms, past history, and presence of
cardiac risk factors. It may be heartburn or heart
attack, but both have the word heart in it. One is
a painful nuisance while other is a medical
emergency. It is best not to guess, dial 911, and
leave the diagnosis to the
doctor.
