How can I tell the difference between heart attack symptoms and heartburn?
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In general, heart-related symptoms start out as a crushing pressure in the chest, with the pain radiating to the arms, neck or jaw. Such pain is often associated with nausea, sweating and shortness of breath. By contrast, heartburn has a more burning quality that often rises from the upper abdomen into the chest. It’s sometimes associated with nausea, but not with shortness of breath, sweating or pain that radiates to other parts of the body.
Important note: If you have any chest pain that lasts for more than a few minutes or any warning signs of a heart attack (for example, pain spreading to arms, neck or shoulders with shortness of breath; sweating; light-headedness), seek immediate medical attention.
About the expert: Goutham Rao, M.D., is clinical director at the Weight Management and Wellness Center, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (of UPMC); associate professor in the department of pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPMC); and family physician at Bloomfield-Garfield Family Health Center in Pittsburgh.
Rao has served as director of medical informatics at UPMC St. Margaret Hospital. He is course director for introduction to medical decision-making at the UPMC, associate editor at the American College of Physicians Journal Club, and editorial board member and acquisitions editor at the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Home Study Self-Assessment (HSSA) program in Kansas City, Mo. Rao serves as assistant editor of the Journal of Family Practice and editorial board member of Family Medicine. Rao has also served as a member of the American Gastroenterological Association Institute/Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement®/National Committee for Quality Assurance GERD standards committee.
The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis or recommended treatments. OTC PPIs are only indicated for treatment of frequent heartburn. For severe heartburn or heartburn that persists after trying over-the-counter treatment or lifestyle modifications, visit your doctor to determine the right treatment for you. See the Terms and Conditions for more information.
