Author: Leslie Toldo
Chest pain is always a cause for concern. There are so many things it could be- a heart attack, angina, pulmonary embolism, gallstones, stomach ulcers, panic attacks- all potentially serious issues- or it could just be heartburn.
“Heartburn pain can be severe, and can be frightening, especially if you have never experienced it before.” said McLaren Flint gastroenterologist Dr. Ghanem Almounajed. “Getting down to the root cause of chest pain often means taking a closer look at the accompanying symptoms.”
Heartburn is exactly what it sounds like- a burning pain in the chest. It is caused by acid flowing back into the esophagus from the stomach because the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle connecting the two is weakened. That can give you a bitter or acidic taste in your mouth, and the pain tends to be worse when lying down or bending over.
Chest pain caused by a heart attack will feel more like pressure or a ‘squeezing’ feeling. The pain may also radiate to the arm, jaw, or back. Nausea and vomiting are also possible with a heart attack, especially in women. Shortness of breath, sweating, or dizziness can also accompany a heart attack.
“Clearly, a heart attack or pulmonary embolism are going to be medical emergencies. If you aren’t certain what is behind your chest pain, it is better to err on the side of caution and get checked out in an emergency room,” said Dr. Almounajed. Just as your lifestyle choices can influence your risk for heart and other diseases, they can also trigger heartburn.
“Fatty, spicy food and certain drinks, like alcohol and caffeine, are heartburn triggers,” said Dr. Almounajed. “Smoking, being overweight, taking certain medications, pregnancy, and stress are also heartburn risk factors.”
Antacids can bring some relief for heartburn, but lifestyle changes will have an even more significant long-term impact on your risk. A less spicy diet, eating smaller meals, and waiting two to three hours before lying down after eating can also bring some relief.
“An occasional bout of heartburn is not necessarily cause for concern, but if you have severe and frequent heartburn symptoms, you may have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease),” said Dr. Almounajed.
GERD may sound more like an aggravation than anything else, but it can lead to serious issues like narrowing of the esophagus or an increased risk for esophageal cancer.
“The good news is, lifestyle changes and over the counter and prescription drugs are all good options to treat chronic heartburn or GERD,” said Dr. Almounajed. “In severe cases, surgery may be needed to prevent reflux.”
You should see a doctor about your heartburn if:
- You experience heartburn or acid reflux more than twice a week.
- Your symptoms do not improve with lifestyle changes or over the counter drugs.
- You develop difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, choking, black or bloody stools.
It is best to err on the side of caution if you experience unusual chest pain and see a doctor to rule out a pulmonary or heart issue before assuming the pain is from heart burn or that it is coming from your esophagus.
If pulmonary and heart issues are ruled out, you can find a gastroenterologist here.