Heart attacks and heartburn both cause chest pain. If you or someone else has chest pain, especially if it comes on suddenly and occurs with nausea or pain in your shoulders, call your local emergency services immediately.
Heart attack and heartburn are two different conditions that can both cause chest pain. And while some movie depictions of heart attacks make them seem like big, chest-clutching displays, that’s not always the case.
A heart attack is a medical emergency
A heart attack requires emergency medical care. If you believe you or someone else may be having a heart attack, call 911 or your local emergency medical services.
This article explores ways to tell the difference between heartburn and heart attack. However, if you’re ever unsure about what you may be experiencing, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
If your chest pain makes you nervous, head to the nearest emergency room.
While heartburn and heart attack both have chest pain as a symptom, the areas affected by pain and the pain sensations themselves are slightly different.
| Heartburn | Heart attack |
|---|---|
| burning sensation in the upper stomach that may radiate to the chest | pressure, squeezing, or “fullness” in the center or left side of the chest |
| pain that usually takes place after eating | pain that comes on suddenly |
| sour taste | shortness of breath |
| burning sensation in your throat | pain or discomfort in your neck, jaw, or back |
| discomfort in the shoulders (one shoulder or both) | |
| feeling weak or faint |
If you’re feeling a very uncomfortable sensation in your chest and can’t be sure whether it’s heartburn or a heart attack, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and get emergency care ASAP.
Read more about what a heart attack feels like.
Heart attack vs. acid reflux symptoms in females
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- shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
- nausea or vomiting
- pain in the arms, back, jaw, neck, or stomach
- dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
- cold sweats
So it bears repeating: If you’re feeling tightness or pain in your chest, and you can’t think of a direct cause, call 911 or local emergency services, or get to a doctor as soon as possible.
To understand how these two conditions can cause chest pain, let’s consider how and why they happen.
Heart attack
A heart attack (also called a myocardial infarction) happens when a major artery in your heart doesn’t get enough blood flow. As a result, areas of your heart don’t get enough blood and oxygen. Doctors call this state ischemia.
To understand ischemia, think about going from standing still to running a full-out sprint.
At the end of a few seconds, your lungs are likely burning, and your chest feels tight (unless you’re a star athlete). These are examples of temporary ischemia that gets better when you slow your pace or your heart rate catches up.
However, when a person has a heart attack, their heart can’t work to produce more blood flow. The results can be chest pain, but other symptoms occur too.
Different arteries in the heart supply blood to different areas of the heart. Sometimes, a person’s symptoms can vary by the specific arteries affected.
Sometimes, the symptoms differ because people’s bodies respond differently to a lack of blood flow and oxygen.
Heartburn
Heartburn occurs when acid that’s usually in your stomach rises into your esophagus (the tube between your mouth and stomach) and sometimes into your mouth.
The acid in your stomach is meant to dissolve foods and nutrients. Your stomach lining is strong enough that it is not affected by the acid.
However, the lining of the esophagus doesn’t have the same kind of tissues as the stomach. When the acid comes up into the esophagus, it can create a burning sensation. This can cause chest pain and discomfort.
The questions below may help you if you’re ever trying to determine whether you or someone else is experiencing a heart attack or just heartburn.
1. What makes your symptoms better?
With heartburn, sitting up and taking antacids usually helps the pain. Lying flat and bending forward makes it worse.
With a heart attack, antacids and sitting up likely won’t improve your symptoms. Activity will usually make them worse.
2. When did you last eat?
Heartburn is most likely to occur within a couple of hours of eating. If you haven’t eaten in a while, your symptoms are less likely to be reflux-related.
With a heart attack, your symptoms aren’t eating-related. You can have a heart attack at any time.
3. Does the pain radiate?
With heartburn, your pain may go up to your throat.
With a heart attack, the pain may go up to the jaw, back, or down one or both arms.
4. Are you short of breath or sweating?
With heartburn, your symptoms should not usually be this severe.
With a heart attack, these symptoms can indicate ischemia and a need to seek emergency medical attention.
Heart attack and heartburn aren’t the only causes of chest pain, but they’re two of the most likely ones. Other potential reasons can include:
- Anxiety attack: Severe bouts of anxiety can cause panicked feelings that may make you feel as if your heart is racing. Other symptoms include shortness of breath and intense fear.
- Esophageal muscle spasm: Some people have an esophagus that tightens or spasms. If this occurs, a person can have pain and discomfort,
such as chest pain . - Gallbladder pain: The gallbladder releases bile that the body uses to digest fats. It can become blocked or diseased (such as with gallstones), causing
symptoms like pain in the shoulders, arms, and neck, as well as nausea and vomiting. - Pleurisy: This condition is an inflammation of the tissues in the chest wall, often due to intense coughing or inflammation from an infection.
If you’re having chest pain that you think could be a heart attack, don’t drive yourself to the emergency room. Always call 911 or local emergency services so you can get medical attention as quickly as possible.
The more time the heart goes without proper blood flow, the more damage the heart muscle may undergo. This is why it’s not a good idea to wait or hesitate if you think you may be experiencing a heart attack.
When should I be worried about heartburn?
If your heartburn occurs frequently or regularly disturbs your sleep, it is best to talk with a doctor about your symptoms. Heartburn can damage your esophagus over time and may increase your risk of other serious health conditions, including cancer.
If you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), treatment may help relieve your symptoms.
When should you go to the ER for heartburn?
If you are concerned that your heartburn is a heart attack, seek emergency care.
Heartburn does not typically require emergency care, but some complications of acid reflux and GERD may require prompt treatment. If you have severe abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing or breathing, bloody or black stools, you may need emergency care.
Learn more about which GERD symptoms may indicate an emergency.
Where is the chest pain located with heartburn?
Heartburn typically causes a burning pain in the throat or upper stomach that may radiate to the chest.
If your pain occurs suddenly and feels more like pressure or squeezing in the center or left side of the chest that radiates to your arms or shoulders, it may be due to a heart attack and require emergency medical attention.
While a key symptom of both heart attack and heartburn is chest pain, other symptoms can help differentiate between the two.
However, it’s always better to be cautious because a heart attack is a medical emergency.
If you have chest pain, especially if it comes on suddenly and is accompanied by pain in your shoulders or nausea, call 911 or your local emergency services.
If your pain is due to heartburn, over-the-counter or prescription medications may improve your symptoms.