Heartburn vs. Heart Attack: How to Tell the Difference

Pain isn’t welcome in any part of the body, but it can be particularly troubling when you feel it in your chest. You know that your heart is there, doing its constant work of keeping blood flowing. If you feel discomfort near your heart, it’s worth paying attention.

That said, you don’t have to automatically assume that pain near your heart means you’re having a heart attack. The sensation could also be coming from heartburn caused by acid reflux. Heartburn gets its name from the burning sensation it causes near your heart, making it easy to confuse with a heart problem.

Matthew W. Shawl, MD, has extensive experience helping people with acid reflux, including those who first thought the resulting heartburn was a heart attack. To help you know what kind of care to get — and how fast you need to get it — Dr. Shawl and our team built this guide.

If you determine that you’re dealing with heartburn, come see Dr. Shawl at our New York City office in Union Square. Recurrent heartburn might not need the urgent medical care of a heart attack, but it isn’t something to ignore.

Key differences between heartburn and a heart attack

Both a heart attack and heartburn usually cause discomfort in your chest. Both can come with feelings of nausea, too.

Some differences that can help you tell them apart, though.

With a heart attack, you might experience:

Arm or shoulder pain
Cold sweats
Fatigue
Jaw or neck pain
Lightheadedness
Shortness of breath

With heartburn, symptoms that come with the chest pain usually include:

A bitter taste in your mouth
Coughing
Hoarseness
Pain that worsens or improves depending on your position
The feeling that something is stuck in your throat
Trouble swallowing

The chest discomfort you feel also tends to be different from heartburn and a heart attack. Heartburn often feels like a burning sensation and can be outright painful. The chest pain that comes with a heart attack often feels more like tightness or a squeezing sensation. You might feel like someone is sitting on your chest.

If you’re still not sure what’s going on, call 911. With a heart attack, every minute matters. It’s better safe than sorry. And if you do end up in the ER with heartburn, you won’t be alone. Millions of people make the trip for severe heartburn every year.

Why you shouldn’t ignore recurring heartburn

If you get heartburn a lot, you might have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This isn’t just uncomfortable. When the acid from your stomach regularly washes up your esophagus, it can do damage. You might develop ulcers or scar tissue. Beyond that, GERD increases your risk for esophageal cancer.

See Dr. Shawl, and he can determine if you’re dealing with recurring acid reflux. If you are, he works with you to find treatment to relieve your symptoms. That might mean lifestyle changes, medication, or, in extreme cases, surgery.

If you feel chest pain, take it seriously. For help with recurring heartburn, call us or book your appointment online today.