[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/07\/what-does-heartburn-feel-like-heartburn-or-heart-attack\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/07\/what-does-heartburn-feel-like-heartburn-or-heart-attack\/","headline":"What Does Heartburn Feel Like? Heartburn vs. Heart Attack","name":"What Does Heartburn Feel Like? Heartburn vs. Heart Attack","description":"Experiencing chest pain? Learn about to tell the difference between a life-threatening heart attack and simple heartburn.","datePublished":"2016-07-18","dateModified":"2022-12-19","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","name":"Heart and Vascular Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/heart-and-vascular-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/heartburn-or-heart-attack.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/heartburn-or-heart-attack.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/07\/what-does-heartburn-feel-like-heartburn-or-heart-attack\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Heart and Vascular Health"],"wordCount":779,"keywords":["chest pain","Digestive Issues","heart attack","Heart Health","heartburn","symptoms"],"articleBody":"Is your chest pain from heartburn, or is it a heart attack?These two conditions can cause similar symptoms, but they’re very different \u2013 especially when it comes to treatment. While heartburn will probably happen to everyone at some point, a\u00a0heart attack\u00a0is a medical emergency that can be life-threatening.Learn the symptoms of each condition and find out what to do if you think you or someone else is having a heart attack.What Is Heartburn?Heartburn is a burning pain in your upper chest, just behind your breastbone.Despite its name, heartburn actually has nothing to do with your heart. It happens when food or\u00a0stomach acid\u00a0rises up into your esophagus, the tube that connects your throat to your stomach.Most people will have heartburn now and then, especially after\u00a0eating a large meal\u00a0or certain kinds of foods, such as chocolate, fried or fatty foods, or\u00a0alcohol. Heartburn is also common during\u00a0pregnancy\u00a0as the uterus grows and puts pressure on the stomach.Heartburn can be a symptom of several conditions such as acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).GERD is a chronic form of acid reflux that occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter doesn’t close properly when food arrives in the stomach. This results in acid washing into the upper areas of the esophagus and into the throat and mouth, giving you a sour taste.What Does Heartburn Feel Like?Heartburn usually feels like a burning sensation that may start in your belly and move upward toward your chest. The pain usually gets worse if you lie down or bend over.Heartburn symptomsSymptoms of heartburn can include:A feeling of burning, warmth, or pain in your chest that occurs after eating.Pain that worsens when you lie down or bend over.A sour taste in your mouth.How long does heartburn last?Occasional heartburn is common and usually poses no cause for alarm. Each bout of heartburn usually resolves within a day and most people can manage the discomfort of heartburn on their own by avoiding certain foods or taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as antacids.If you are pregnant or have heartburn on a regular basis, you should talk to your doctor about the best way to treat it. In some cases, frequent heartburn can be a symptom of a more serious\u00a0digestive disorder.Treatments for heartburnThe most common way to soothe heartburn is to take an over-the-counter (OTC) antacid, such as:Alka-SeltzerMaaloxMylantaPepto-BismolRolaidsTumsIf you have frequent heartburn, your doctor may prescribe acid-reducing medications or a surgical procedure.There are numerous ways to prevent heartburn before it occurs, such as:Not smoking.Slowing down your eating.Avoiding alcohol and foods high in acid.Sleeping on your left side.Not going to bed on a full stomach.Avoiding overeating.What Is a Heart Attack?A heart attack is a stoppage of blood flow to the heart caused by a blockage. The blockage is often a buildup of fat or cholesterol which forms plaque in the coronary arteries that feed the heart.When blood flow to your heart is blocked, it causes damage to your heart muscle. A heart attack is a medical emergency that can be life-threatening, so if you think you’re having a\u00a0heart attack, call 911 right away.What Does a Heart Attack Feel Like?A heart attack feels different for each person. Some people have mild symptoms while others have severe chest pain. Some people have no symptoms at all.Although some heart attacks strike suddenly, most people have warning signs and symptoms in the hours, days, or weeks before.Symptoms of a heart attackCommon heart attack symptoms can include:Chest pain or discomfort.Pain or discomfort in your jaw, neck, stomach, or one or both arms.Shortness of breath.Cold sweat.Nausea.Lightheadedness.And women can have different symptoms besides the ones listed above, including:Dizziness.Sweating.Pressure or pain in the chest or back.Heartburn or Heart Attack? When to Worry?If you have chest pain and are not sure if it’s severe heartburn symptoms or a heart attack, call 911 right away.It’s better to get emergency treatment and find out that you have a minor health problem than to ignore something that could be deadly.Remember, paramedics will provide the fastest, safest transportation to the hospital. Do not drive yourself or ask someone else to drive you.To learn more about heart attack causes, symptoms, and treatment options, visit the\u00a0UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute\u00a0or call\u00a01-855-UPMC-HVI (876-2484).Editor's Note: This article was originally published on July 18, 2016, and was last reviewed on December 19, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2016","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"07","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/\/07\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What Does Heartburn Feel Like? Heartburn vs. Heart Attack","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/07\/what-does-heartburn-feel-like-heartburn-or-heart-attack\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]