IS IT A HEART ATTACK, OR ACID REFLUX?
A heart attack can be difficult to tell apart from severe heartburn or acid reflux, which is why it is so important to understand the difference[1]!
If you are suffering from frequent acid reflux, then you ought to pay a visit to one of your local gastroenterology doctors for a general health check up[2].
- Discomfort or pain just above your gut that moves up your chest.
- Classically occurs right after food, either while lying down or bending over.
- If you eat directly before going to sleep, it can wake you up.
- It may cause slight regurgitation in the back of your throat or mouth, accompanied with a sour taste.
- Taking an antacid should stop all the above symptoms swiftly.
A heart attack, on the other hand, is a far more serious matter and unfortunately it doesn't always come on in a sudden way.
Sometimes a heart attack can take a few hours to develop into a full blown one, causing symptoms that subside after a while, which is why it can be hard to tell apart from acid reflux. Additionally, acid reflux is occasionally a symptom of a heart attack.
- Tight pressure, pain, or a severe ache in the chest or arms, which can also pervade the neck, jaw or back.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Fatigue.
- Sudden lightheadedness or dizzy spells.
- Cold sweats.
- Acid reflux, indigestion, nausea and pain in the gut.
If your symptoms sound more like the latter, forget calling your gastroenterologist and call an ambulance or an emergency line for immediate medical attention.
To search for Gastroenterology or Cardiology providers, please visit our Healthcare Provider or Doctor search.
Source:
- [1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heartburn/in-depth/heartburn-gerd/art-20046483
- [2] https://patients.gi.org/what-is-a-gastroenterologist/
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