Is it heartburn or a heart attack?
A bad case of heartburn can be very similar to something much worse — a heart attack.
For heart patients, already hyper-aware of pain, the heartburn bluff can be frightening.
Heartburn and heart attack have some major symptoms in common, including chest pain, but they are entirely different problems. Heartburn is a digestive problem that can cause actual pain as stomach acids irritate the stomach lining and back up into the throat. A heart attack, meanwhile, is all about the heart and has nothing to do with the stomach.
But each does a pretty spooky imitation of the other, causing chest pain, pressure and burning.
When to suspect the heart:
* Cardiac pain and pressure radiates from the chest, arms, neck, jaw and back.
* Changing position doesn't help. Heartburn, for example, can be somewhat relieved or diminished by sitting up or standing. Heart attack pain does not respond to this.
* Cardiac episodes are usually accompanied by nausea and cold sweats.
* Shortness of breath and fatigue characterize heart attacks.
* Dizziness and lightheadedness.
Most important: When in doubt, call 911.