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I’ve had many patients come to the ER with a heart problem, requiring immediate medical or surgical intervention, mostly because they couldn’t figure out if it was a heart problem or acidity , gas and reflux. This dilemma had cost them a crucial diagnostic window. Considering that Indians have heavy meals at odd hours, many of them are prone to acid reflux and heartburn, which might bother them, especially at night. But sometimes these symptoms tend to mimic those of a heart attack and are often confusing. Given that most Indians are at a higher risk of heart disease than any other population, already suffer from hypertension or type 2 diabetes, are overweight and may have a family history of heart disease, it is imperative that this high-risk group understands importance of medical referral. Especially when a low level of medical awareness means that most patients lose the benefits of treating the cardiac problem within the golden hour, simply because they mistake a cardiac episode or angina pain for a gas attack. . This increases the risk of complications and scarring of heart tissue.
HOW CAN HEARTBURN BE A SIGN OF HEART ATTACK?
Sometimes chest pain may not be classically on the left side. Usually, a heart attack is manifested by pain in the left arm or the left side of the chest. But sometimes it can manifest as what we call ‘referred pain’, which is pain you feel in the part of your body that is away from the source of the pain. So, some heart attacks can manifest as pain anywhere in your upper torso, whether in your back, neck, jaw, teeth, shoulder, and behind your breastbone. Sometimes a heart attack manifests as a burning sensation in the middle of the chest and even causes some sweating. You might think it’s heartburn, but it could be caused by reduced blood flow to your heart due to angina or a real heart attack brought on by clogged arteries. In fact, heartburn, angina, and heart attack can sound very similar. You can’t tell the difference just by looking at the physical symptoms. But if the symptoms are persistent, unusual to you, seem like something you’ve never felt before, and last longer than 15 minutes, go to a hospital emergency room and get tested to rule out a heart attack.
WHY IS TESTING IMPORTANT?
Most people will see their GP, who may not insist on an ECG right away. In fact, some doctors don’t. But detailed investigation speeds diagnosis, which is confusing even for doctors when symptoms overlap. Even if the symptoms seem to be improving or lessening, the doctor should review the patient’s medical history to check if acidity or gastrointestinal problems have been an older problem. Then he should check the patient’s medical history and cross off risk factors – smoking, hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical exercise, dietary habits, obesity and family history of disease. Once this profile is verified, the physician should assess the patient at the first point of contact and request investigations. For example, if a 35-year-old smoker with cholesterol and diabetes comes in complaining of gas, I would definitely recommend testing and observe him for a few hours before dismissing him. Doctors should treat these overlapping symptomatic cases with the same urgency as you would treat cardiac cases until proven otherwise. Although I would not recommend CT angiography for every type of investigation, which is of little help in assessing the impact of calcified deposits, it can be used in such cases to dispel doubts.
WHAT IF YOU HAVE PERSISTENT CHEST PAIN AND ARE NOT SURE WHAT CAUSES IT?
Just go to a hospital emergency room and do your ECG. See a doctor even if unexplained chest pain like you’ve never felt before goes away within hours. Heartburn and a developing heart attack can cause symptoms that go away after a while. The disappearance of chest pain is an indicator of what could happen later if it is proven to be due to cardiac causes.
HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE HEARTBURN AND ACIDITY?
Heartburn is actual discomfort or pain caused by digestive acid traveling through your food pipe or esophagus. It is characterized by a burning sensation and discomfort in the chest and upper abdomen. Usually symptoms occur after a heavy meal, but can be managed with antacids. It is sometimes accompanied by reflux. But if the discomfort is stubborn and you feel restless or uneasy, get tested.
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Sources 2/ https://indianexpress.com/article/health-wellness/heartburn-vs-heart-attack-8562125/ The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article |
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