However, understanding the distinction between them helps prevent unnecessary panic and ensures timely treatment if heartburn is a symptom of a heart issue. Because they both cause chest discomfort, acid reflux and heart problems can feel very similar to each other.
But the question that arises is: can acid reflux feel like a heart problem? It is not always possible to distinguish the conditions based on symptoms. Symptoms may occur after a spicy or fatty meal, or when there is a sour taste in the mouth, belching or regurgitation of food into the mouth. He further emphasised that if the discomfort spreads to the throat, both arms, or the jaw, and you feel a lump or a choking sensation, it can be related to your heart. “Sometimes this sensation comes with breathlessness, sweating, etc. You should always consider that it could be cardiac-related, especially in those patients who have a high cardiovascular risk score, such as those with diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic smokers and high cholesterol,” he added. “Heart pain can start and stop suddenly without any particular cause. Sometimes women, elderly people, and patients with diabetes may experience milder or unusual symptoms of a heart attack, such as digestive system upset or feeling tired with vomiting and nausea,” she added. Dr Ajit further added, “We often face the situation where the patient has been sitting at home, complaining of acidity, trying various medications, and, surprisingly, once in a while, even doctors mistake these symptoms for acidity. It’s only later, when the ECG is done, that you realise that the patient has already had a heart attack. Usually, it’s on walking, or it’s worse on lying down and better on sitting up. Moreover, even belching can be a symptom of a cardiac problem. Patients often feel better after belching, and it’s often disregarded. These patients can progress to have a major cardiac event,” he explained. When there is any uncertainty about whether you have heart-related pain or just acid reflux, Dr Ajit suggests getting an ECG or appropriate blood tests, such as Troponin I.
Because the oesophagus lies directly behind the heart, in an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Ajit clearly stated that acid reflux can closely mimic heart pain. Because both organs are connected through similar nerve pathways, which means that reflux can result in burning or pressing sensations in the chest area, per Dr Geeta, “Acid reflux does resemble a heart condition very much. “It would be surprising to note that belching occurs due to chest discomfort.
Director of the department of cardiology at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, and Dr Geeta Malkan-Billa, director of gastroenterology and hepatology at Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, yes, it can, according to Dr Ajit Menon. “Both can cause discomfort in the centre of the chest, making the distinction difficult, often for both patients and physicians ,” he explained. It’s usually acid reflux when there is a burning sensation behind the breastbone, often described as heartburn, according to Dr Ajit. “Symptoms improve with antacids, and there may be some bloating and a feeling of food coming back up,” he added. Symptoms that indicate acid reflux , according to Dr Geeta: Meanwhile, one should treat this burning sensation or heartburn as heart-related pain if it usually occurs with exertion or walking, Dr Ajit cautioned. Dr Geeta, too, highlighted the symptoms that indicate a heart condition as follows: According to Dr Geeta, one should visit the ER immediately or consult a cardiologist if: Dr Geeta further cautioned that one should not consider an absence of heart problems if it was relieved with antacids. Heart attack pain may also not be limited to the chest: “Sometimes it can occur in the upper part of the stomach, where patients can have this discomfort, according to him. They can be used to distinguish between cardiac and acid reflux symptoms, according to him. “If you have a high risk for cardiovascular disease, it is always better to get investigated if you have these symptoms, which are persistent,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Geeta suggested, “When you experience repeated chest pain, do not hesitate and consult your physician regardless of whether you think that it is only heartburn. With the help of ECG and a couple of other tests, your heart will be examined, and only then will reflux disease be successfully treated. So, the bottom line is that if there is any similarity, rule out a heart problem first. Heart problems can kill you, but acid reflux cannot. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
