Is it Heartburn or a Heart Attack?

Heartburn occurs when the valve that separates your esophagus and your stomach, the esophageal sphincter, weakens, and the acid from your stomach refluxes into your esophagus, causing a burning sensation. Typically caused by overeating, lying down too soon after a big meal, being overweight, or eating trigger foods like spicy or fatty foods, caffeine, or alcohol, heartburn can be treated by changing your eating habits or taking the occasional antacid. If it occurs frequently, heartburn may be a symptom of a more serious chronic condition such as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), and you should speak to your physician about treatment options.

If you are experiencing heartburn, you will feel a burning sensation in your chest that will radiate from your upper abdomen to your neck. It may subside quickly or be present for a few hours. You may also have a sour taste in your mouth from the acid reflux. On the other hand, if you feel a sudden pressure, squeezing, or crushing pain in the center of your chest lasting for a few minutes and pain radiating to your back, neck, jaw, shoulders, or arms (especially your left arm), you should seek medical help immediately. This is even more important if you are also short of breath, dizzy, and/or sweating.