Heartburn or Heart Attack

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

12 Nov 2006 10:29 AM

One of the most common reasons for a person to visit the emergency room is for chest pains. But is that chest pain a heart attack, or just a really bad case of heartburn? Knowing the symptoms can help you determine when you've got an emergency on your hands.

Heartburn and heart attacks frequently occur in similar types of people -- especially overweight people and older people. Believe it or not, the pain of a heart attack and the pain of a severe case of heartburn can be difficult for even the experts to distinguish. A person with severe chest pains may need careful testing to determine the true cause.

Symptoms of heartburn that could appear to be a heart attack:

* A sharp pain or burning sensation below the breastbone or under the ribs * Pain after meals * Pain when lying down, exercising, or experiencing anxiety

With heartburn, the pain does not usually radiate to the shoulder, neck, or arms. Heartburn does not typically cause a cold sweat. The pain symptoms respond relatively quickly to antacids.

Symptoms of a heart attack:

• A feeling of fullness or tightness in the chest
• A feeling of dull pressure or pain in the chest
• Sudden chest pain or pressure that worsens
• Dizziness, shortness of breath, cold sweat, lightheadedness
• Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, jaw, or arms

A heart attack may feel like a belt being tightened around your chest. The pain often responds quickly to nitroglycerin.

When in doubt, call your doctor. If your pain lasts more than a few minutes or you have any of the above symptoms of a heart attack, seek medical assistance. Describe your symptoms and see what your doctor suggests. If your doctor isn't available, visit an urgent care center, emergency clinic, or the hospital emergency room. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger