Chest pain is a symptom that produces fear in many people. It can be a sign of something
very serious, and even life-threatening, such as a heart attack. But chest pain
can also be a sign of something not so serious, such as a pulled muscle or heartburn.
To better understand the differences between the two conditions, it is helpful to
compare heartburn with a heart attack.
Other than heartburn or heart attack, possible causes of chest pain include:
- stomach ulcers
- muscle problems
- a panic attack
- pneumonia
Pain and discomfort in the chest area can be a symptom of heartburn. This pain is
often described as a burning sensation that may move up into the neck. Other heartburn
symptoms may include:
-
A sensation of food or liquid coming up into the throat or mouth (regurgitation),
especially when bending over or lying down.
- Bitter or acid taste in the mouth.
One of the main differences between heartburn and heart attack symptoms is that
with a heart attack, a person may also have:
- nausea
- fatigue
- shortness of breath
- sweating
- light-headedness
- weakness
Heartburn and heart attack symptoms can be confused because they both cause pain
in the middle of the chest. But other symptoms, such as nausea and sweating, that
can occur with a heart attack do not usually happen with heartburn.
If you are unsure what is causing your chest pain symptoms, call your doctor or
911 immediately.
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