The heart is a very valuable organ in our body. It is a muscle located near the left side of the sternum (breastbone) and in between the lungs and the chest. The cardiac muscle is able to pump at least 2,000 gallons of blood and generate around 100,000 heart beats in a day, but these often go unnoticed. It pumps blood to all the other parts of the body, whether we are asleep or on the go.

Needless to say, therefore, that the heart performs its function 24/7. Thus, it is very important for the heart to receive adequate blood in order to function well and it must not be deprived of the energy and oxygen that it needs so as to prevent ischemia in the areas of the cardiac muscle.  Once the heart is deprived with the oxygen and blood that it needs, parts of the cardiac muscle begins to die away, which leaves the other parts of the muscle with no other choice but to compensate for the loss and work twice as hard to ensure that blood reaches even the most distal body parts. While this may seem harmless at first, this will have its long-term consequences, such as heart failure.

Chest pain is oftentimes a cause for alarm. And because various conditions can precipitate chest pain, it helps to be able to differentiate one from the other. Two of the most common causes of chest pain are heartburn and heart attack. But how do we differentiate heartburn from a serious condition such as a heart attack? Below are some points to remember:

Pain type

Heartburn: This condition is mostly associated with acid reflux, a form of gastro-intestinal disorder.  The pain in heartburn is oftentimes described as burning, and it typically stays in the epigastric area. It may range from being irregular and mild, to being a strong type of pain. Pain may last for few minutes up to several hours.

Heart attack: This is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment. The pain in heart attack is described as crushing and squeezing, with an uncomfortable feeling of fullness on the chest.  According to surveys conducted by health professionals on patients who have experienced a heart attack, the pain feels like “having an elephant sit on your chest.” More often than not, heart attack pain radiates to other parts of the body as well.

Pain location

Heartburn: Because heartburn is caused by the reflux of acid from the stomach, it creates a localized burning sensation at the epigastric area. Although pain in heartburn may radiate to the upper portion of the stomach, it does not happen very often.

Heart attack: The universal sign of a heart attack is a person clutching the chest, specifically in the area of the heart.  The squeezing, crushing pain is felt radiating to the areas of the jaw, the neck, down an arm or both, and towards the back, or sometimes, towards the stomach.

Precipitating factors

Heartburn: This is caused by an acid reflux coming from the digestive system, specifically the stomach. Small amounts of digestive enzymes go back up the esophagus and irritate its linings. The consumption of certain foods can precipitate heartburn symptoms but, while some people are sensitive to these types of foods, some people are not as sensitive. Examples of food triggers are spicy dishes, food and drinks that contain caffeine, orange juices and the use of tobacco. According to studies, these foods increases acid production in the stomach, thus, having too much of it will cause the stomach to draw it back up to the esophagus.  Furthermore, positional changes such as lying down, stooping, bending over or engaging in strenuous exercises right after a meal can also cause heartburn.

Heart attack: Heart attack is often precipitated when a person has coronary heart disease, where blood vessels that supply the heart with blood and oxygen are blocked. Aside from having this pre-existing cardiovascular condition, physical, emotional and environmental triggers can cause the onset of a heart attack. Too much exertion, such as in the case of moving heavy pieces of furniture or lifting too heavy weights can cause a heart attack. Being overly stressed at work, or too much grief related to the loss of a loved one, are also possible causes. Additionally, extreme heat – such as being overly exposed under the glaring heat of the sun – can elicit heart attack symptoms. However, a heart attack can sneak up without you knowing it.  Some people experience a heart attack even if they are doing nothing – like lying down or sitting on a chair.

Pain relief

Heartburn: Although having heartburn for some people are temporarily relieved from taking over-the-counter antacids that will quickly neutralize stomach acids, there are natural ways of relieving heartburn pain.  Some studies have shown that papaya carries certain enzymes that helps promote proper digestion of foods in the stomach thereby producing less acid. Aside from which, small, frequent meals can also help in pain relief from heartburn because by this, only a lesser amount of acid is produced by the stomach. Last but not the least, heartburn is relieved by rest; waiting for a few minutes before engaging in exercise or lying down after eating will also help minimize the chance of having heartburns.

Heart attack: In contrast, when a person feels a severe, persistent crushing pain, immediate medical attention should be sought. The pain does not go away on its own, so it is best that you seek help from medical professionals.

Presence of other symptoms

Heartburn: The burning pain that is associated with heartburn can come with other symptoms such as a sour or bitter taste felt at the back of the throat.

Heart attack: Other symptoms associated with heart attack are: shortness of breath, feeling of fullness in the chest, light headedness, dizziness, body weakness, cold sweats and some may even persist to nausea and vomiting. Pain may radiate from the chest to the shoulders, arms, back, throat and the jaw and it simply cannot be relieved by rest.

Sources
americanprofile.com
texasheartinstitute.org
livestrong.com