Heartburn vs. Heart Attack: Understanding the Distinct Symptoms

Heart attack occurs due to disease in the coronary arteries. These blood vessels work to supply blood to the heart. When the heart does not get sufficient amounts of blood and oxygen and the blood supply to the heart muscles is not sufficient, it is called a heart attack. The heartbeat may stop when a heart attack occurs. This condition is called cardiac arrest. A person in cardiac arrest is unresponsive and has no pulse. 

(Read more - 10 Symptoms of an Unhealthy Heart)

The following symptoms of heart attack may be seen -

• Chest pain which may feel like pressure, contraction, heaviness and tightness.
• Feeling pain in the chest as if something heavy is coming on the chest.
• Chest pain may come and go, but not last for more than a few minutes.
• Cold sweat.
• Having trouble breathing.
• Feeling nauseous.
• Feeling very tired or lacking in energy.
• Feeling dizzy.

It is important to know here that not all heart attack symptoms are the same. These symptoms can be minor or severe. Some people do not feel any symptoms at all. Chest pain can be right in the middle or slightly on the left side. The pain may also spread to other areas, such as one or both arms, neck, chin or middle back.

(Read more - Difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest)

First of all, it is important to know that like heart attack, heartburn is not a disease, rather it is a symptom. Heartburn causes burning pain, which is caused by acid reflux. This pain starts in the upper part of the stomach and reaches the chest. In acid reflux, the food present in the stomach comes back into the food pipe.

Produces mucus to protect the stomach lining from acid, which is used to aid digestion. The food pipe does not have this protection, so acid reflux can damage its lining. However, for many people acid reflux does not cause such harm. Why people with acid reflux feel pain is not yet understood.

(Read more - Home Remedies for Heartburn)

Symptoms of heartburn can be of the following types -

• Burning Pain In Chest
• Pain Usually After Eating
• Pain With Burning Sensation In Throat
• Sour Taste
• Nausea

(Read more - Heartburn Diet)

It is true that sometimes it becomes difficult to understand whether the chest pain is due to heart attack or heartburn. Doctors find out about it after doing many types of tests. Many times it is difficult even for doctors to differentiate between heart attack and heartburn. Despite this, some symptoms are given below, which are the main differences between heart attack and heartburn -

• The condition of heartburn becomes worse after eating food and lying down, whereas heart attack can occur at any time.
• Heartburn can be cured with medicines, it can reduce the level of acid in the stomach.
• There is no bloating in a heart attack, which can happen in heart burn.
• There is difficulty in breathing during a heart attack.
• Heartburn causes burning pain in the throat, whereas heart attack can cause pain or discomfort in the neck, chin or back. 

(Read more - Difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest)

One of the main and common symptoms of heart attack and heartburn is chest pain, but both of them have different symptoms. While heart attack is a disease, heartburn is just a symptom. If anyone suddenly feels chest pain or pain or discomfort in other parts of the body, then help should be sought from a doctor immediately.