Heart attack or heart burn?Understanding the difference in heart pain and acidity and their treatment

Is it a heart burn or heart attack?

Are you having chest pain and you are confused whether it is heartburn or heart pain? Then you are at the right place. This blog is going to tell you their potential causes, and how to identify which one you might be experiencing. 

What is Heart Pain?

Heart pain, also known as chest pain or angina, is the discomfort felt in the chest region as a result of the heart muscle receiving less blood and oxygen. Many factors such as stress, coronary artery disease, or other underlying medical issues, can contribute to this. Heart discomfort can take many forms, and each individual may experience it to a different degree.

• Symptoms of Heart pain:

1. Chest tightness

2.Pain radiating towards neck,jaw,arm and back

3.Severe and crushing pressure at heart

4.Shortness of breath

5.Nausea or dizziness

• Causes of Heart pain:

1.Myocardial Infarction MI or heart attack

Myocardial infarction (infarct means clot) happens when coronary artery supplying blood to our heart gets blocked due to a clot.Due to which our heart muscles do not receive enough blood and it causes a heart attack.

2.Coronary Artery Disease 

It occurs when plaque is  build  up in the coronary artery which causes the artery to become narrow.Due to which our heart do not receive enough blood and oxygen.

3.Pericarditis

 Inflammation of the sac-like membrane called pericardium that surrounds the heart. It can produce acute, stabbing chest discomfort that gets worse when you cough, breathe, or lie down.

4.Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy causes the heart muscle to thicken , which may cause chest pain. Cardiomyopathy comes in a variety of forms, such as dilated, hypertrophic, and restricted.

5.Psychological conditions

 Increased heart rate, fast breathing, and tense muscles can  be signs of psychological conditions like anxiety or panic, which can cause chest pain.

• Treatment of Heart pain or angina:

1.Healthy diet

2.Avoid fats in your diet

3.Moderate excercise or walk

4.Quit smoking and alcohol

5.Eat ginger when you feel angina and seek emergency treatment from a healthcare professional

6.Manage stress

 What is Heart burn or Acidity:

Heart burn or acid reflux or acidity is a common medical disease due to  stomach acid flowing back into the oesophagus, which irritates throat. 

Due to their similar symptoms, heart burn and heart pain are frequently confused. But acidity and heartburn are gastrointestinal problems that do not directly affect the heart.

• Symptoms of Heart burn:

1. burning sensation in the chest

2.Pain during bending or lying

3.Bitter taste

4.Burping
5.Chest pain especially behind sternum

• Causes of Heart Burn:

1.Excess use of NSAIDS like aspirin and ibuprofen

2.Sleep after having a meal

3.No excercise 

4.Alcohol consumption

5.Smoking

6.Over-eating

7.Having unhealthy food including fast food

• Treatment of Heart Burn:

1. Avoid eating too much food

2.Consume healthy meal

3.Quit smoking and alcohol

4.Excercise and walk

5.Do no sleep atleast 2 hours after having meal

6.Avoid late night food

7.Maintain your healthy weight

8.Eat fresh meal

Differences in Heart burn and Heart Pain:

1.Location

Heart pain or angina  occurs at the  centre or left side of the chest while  Heartburn frequently manifests as a burning feeling behind the breastbone (sternum), which might spread to the neck or throat.

2.Radiation 

Trouble in the neck, mouth, arms (particularly the left arm), back, or stomach may be a result of heart pain or angina. On the other hand, pain that travels to the arms is uncommon with heartburn.

3.Time

Mostly heart pain or angina occurs during a physical activity while heart burn or acidity occurs during resting or lying.

Remember to consult a healthcare professional for proper guide and treatment for angina and acidity!