The difference between heartburn due to stomach and heart disease

Heartburn oftenIt is often considered a symptom of an ulcer (stomach disease). However actuallyThis complaint can also be a symptom of a heart attack. Then, how to distinguish heartburn in stomach and heart disease?

Heartburn can occur due to various things, ranging from anxiety, satiety, inflammation of the stomach (gastritis), acid reflux disease (GERD), gallstones, to heart disease. Each disease that can cause heartburn has different symptoms.

Although only 3.6% of patients with cardiac arrest complain of heartburn, and 5% of patients complain of chest pain radiating to the solar plexus, this symptom should not be ignored. Heartburn in a heart attack is generally experienced by people with diabetes (diabetes).

Know the Differences in Heartburn in Stomach and Heart Diseases

In order not to confuse heartburn due to gastric or heart disease, here are the differences between the two:

Heartburn in heart disease

In heart disease or heart attack, the characteristics of heartburn that appear are as follows:

  • It appears suddenly, and is accompanied by chest pain that radiates to the jaw, neck, or arms. The intensity of the pain can increase in a matter of minutes.
  • It felt like being stabbed, crushed, and sore.
  • Usually gain weight when doing physical activity or stress.
  • Accompanied by chest palpitations, shortness of breath or heavy breathing (especially in women), cold sweats, sudden weakness, and feeling like you might pass out.

If you feel heartburn that leads to symptoms of heart disease, immediately go to the nearest hospital emergency unit. This condition needs to be treated as soon as possible to prevent further heart damage.

Heartburn in stomach disease

Heartburn is very common. It is estimated that 25-40% of adults experience heartburn each year. Acid reflux disease or heartburn has a similar symptom location to a heart attack, but the characteristics are different, namely:

  • It feels like burning or burning, sometimes there is also chest pain.
  • Followed by the release of gastric contents, in the form of food or gastric acid fluid.
  • Usually appears when lying on your back, and subsides after taking heartburn medications, such as antacids.
  • Accompanied by flatulence, bloating after eating, nausea, or vomiting.

In heartburn, symptoms usually appear when eating too late; feeling stressed; after eating foods that stimulate the production of stomach acid, such as acidic, spicy, and fatty foods; or after consuming foods and drinks that contain caffeine, such as chocolate or coffee.

Given that heartburn can be caused by various diseases with almost similar symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor if you experience this complaint. Especially if the heartburn you feel is so severe that it interferes with your activities, or gains weight in a short time.

The doctor will perform a physical and supporting examination, such as X-rays, blood tests, or an EKG to assess the condition of the heart. After the diagnosis of the disease is confirmed, the new doctor can provide treatment for heartburn according to the cause.

Written by:

dr. Meristika Yuliana Dewi