Is it a Heart Attack or Acid Reflux?

admin — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:14:13 +0000

A heart attack is something to be taken very seriously. I think we have all been instilled with the signs of a heart attack, primarily chest pains. For this reason, I have gone to the emergency room twice in the past three years, the most resent was last June. The first time I was experiencing severe pain in the center of my chest and the second time I had pain going from my chest into my left shoulder and arm. Both time I was monitored by the ER doctors and then given a treadmill stress test. I past both of these test with flying colors; my heart was in great shape.

So what was causing me so much pain that I thought I was having a heart attach â€“ Acid Reflux. Acid Reflux or heartburn can be so severe at time that individuals like myself think they are experiencing a heart attack. Often times itâ€™s difficult to discern the two without medical testing. To make things more complicated the two medical problems have similar symptoms.

Here are some acid reflux symptoms that are often mistaken for a possible heart attack:

A sharp, burning pain usually just below the breastbone, but can be higher as it was in my case. The location of the pain is based on how high the reflux reaches.
Pain associated with acid reflux does not generally radiate to the shoulders, neck, or arms, but with many people it does, it’s usually a bit milder.
If the pain comes after meals, when lying on the back, when exercising or when experiencing anxiety itâ€™s usually associated with Acid Reflux.
Acid reflux usually responds quickly to antacids.
The most tell-tell symptoms is acid reflux rarely is accompanied by a cold sweat.

Here are the signs of a heart attack as defined by the American Heart Association:

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath. MayÂ occurÂ with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Cardiac problems can mimic heartburn or other indigestion problems, it very important that you do not confuse the two. If you think you’re having a heart attack, callÂ 9-1-1 or yourÂ emergency medical system immediately. Get to a hospital right away.

Acid Reflux Symptoms

Heartburn is a common symptom of acid reflux and GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease), however not everyone that experiences heartburn has GERD.

Here are some common acid reflux symptoms:

Heartburn
- Involves discomfort or burning pain in the chest that may move upward into your throat.
Increase by bending over, stooping or eating.
Heartburn can be more frequent or worst at night.
Often relieved by antacids.
Regurgitation
- A bitter or sour tasting acid in the back of your throat.
Belching or Burping, often with a sour or bitter taste.
Dysphagia â€“ the narrowing of the esophagus which feels like food is stuck in the esophagus.
Feeling bloated.
Chronic sore throat.
Dry cough or wheezing.
Hoarseness or a change in your voice.

If you are experiencing a number of the above symptoms report them to your doctor for further diagnosis. Your doctor may refer you to Gastrologist who specializes in the treatment of the gastric system such as stomach functions and disorders.

Technorati Tags: Acid Reflux, Acid Reflux Symptoms, Heart attack

Chest Pains – Heartburn or Heart Attack?

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:59:54 +0000

Chest pains from heartburn or a heart attack are very different, but can feel very much a like. This is what happened to me that sent me to the emergency room twice. So, it’s very important to know the differences and what help you should be seeking.

knowing the difference from the burning and discomfort of heartburn and some more serious such as a heart attach can result in a life and death situation. So what exactly is heartburn?

Actually heartburn is a symptom to a condition know as acid reflux. Acid reflux is when the acid from your stomach is refluxed up into your esophagus. This most often happens after eating or while lying down, you will feel a burning pain in your chest right behind the breastbone. The surprising situation I found myself in is that the pain can radiate all the way to you neck and toe the side, similar to heart attach symptoms. The pain or discomfort associated with heartburn can be very brief or like in my case last most of the day and into the night.

Something to look for is the sour taste you may have in your mouth, because stomach acid is moving up into the esophagus you can end up with this bad taste in your mouth especially if you are lying down.

Where the esophagus enters the stomach is a sphincter muscle know as the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. The LES is muscular ring the allows food into the stomach, but also keep the contents in. But this value can relax or weaken, due to over eating, over weight, pregnancy, too much alcohol or simply because it’s not fully developed in infants; when this happens stomach acid flow back up into the esophagus.

If your have frequent and persistent heartburn, you should seek medical help as this may be signs of something more serious called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. If untreated GERD can lead to Barrett’s esophagus, a condition in which the color and composition of the cells lining the lower esophagus change because of repeated exposure to stomach acid. Barrett’s esophagus is a risk factor for esophageal cancer.

Heartburn can also be symptoms to other digestive problems such as inflamed stomach lining (gastritis), a peptic ulcer or a hiatal hernia, this is when part of the stomach goes through an opening in the diaphragm called the esophageal hiatuspushes.

So how do you know that chest pain is a heart attack?

It is often difficult to know what’s causing your chest pain. But here are the warning signs of a heart-attack:

Sudden pressure, tightening, squeezing or crushing pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes.
Pain spreading to the back, neck, jaw, shoulders or arms â€” especially the left arm.
Chest discomfort accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness or nausea.
Pressure or tightness in the chest during physical activity or when you’re under emotional stress.

If you are experiencing any of the above signs get medical help immediately.

Heartburn bouts are common, try taking antacids. If you find you are constantly taking antacids for heartburn, see your doctor your heartburn could be a symptom of GERD or other more serious digestive problems.

Again if your heartburn seems worse or different, especially if you experience a squeezing or crushing pain, which may or may not be accompanied with shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, nausea or pain radiating into your shoulder and arm â€” seek emergency assistance immediately. These are signs indicating a heart attack.

Technorati Tags: Acid Reflux, Heart attack, Heartburn

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Is it a Heart Attack or Acid Reflux?

Acid Reflux Symptoms

Chest Pains – Heartburn or Heart Attack?