HEARTBURN OR HEART ATTACK?
More than five million patients go to the emergency room each year with chest pain. While many of these patients are suffering from a heart attack, some actually may be experiencing severe heartburn.
The pain caused during a heart attack and during severe heartburn episode is so difficult to distinguish that sophisticated equipment is generally necessary to determine whether or not you are having a heart attack.
To complicate matters even more, the two problems have many of the same symptoms and are more likely to occur in people over forty.
Here are some possible differences between the two ailments.
Note: If you have any chest pain that lasts for more than a few minutes-or any warning signs of a heart attack do not try to decide for yourself-seek immediate medical attention.
Possible signs of angina or heart attack
•A feeling of fullness, tightness or dull crushing pressure or pain generally in the center of the chest
•Often occurs with activity or exertion
•Pain may spread to the shoulders, neck, arms or jaw
•Often responds quickly to nitroglycerin (Unresponsiveness to nitroglycerin in the presence of angina or heart attack symptoms should be treated as a medical emergency)
•May be associated with an irregular pulse
•Often accompanied by a cold sweat and shortness of breath
•Nausea and possible vomiting
•Might experience lightheadedness, weakness, or dizziness
Possible signs of heartburn
•A sharp, burning sensation just below the breastbone or ribs
•Pain usually comes soon after meals
•Pain generally does not radiate to the shoulders, neck, or arms, but it can
•Symptoms may respond quickly to liquid antacids
•Rarely accompanied by a cold sweat, shortness of breath, lightheadedness or dizziness
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