How does indigestion feel like a heart attack

If the chest pain persists after you take an over-the-counter heartburn remedy, Dr. Abdallah recommends seeking medical attention right away. He also suggests taking an aspirin if there are delays in getting to professional medical care. Aspirin helps to thin the blood in case you are having a heart attack. The blockage obstructs the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. When you think of a heart attack, you may picture a person clutching their chest and collapsing from sudden, severe pain.

But the symptoms of a heart attack often are much more subtle. This is especially true for women, Dr. Learn more about heart and vascular services at Edward-Elmhurst Health. Learn more about emergency services at Edward-Elmhurst Health. Read More. If you have reached this screen, your current device or browser is unable to access the full Edward-Elmhurst Health Web site. To see the full site, please upgrade your browser to the most recent version of Safari, Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer.

If you cannot upgrade your browser, you can remain on this site. Back to Healthy Driven Blog Home. Other symptoms of acid reflux disease can go with the heartburn. These can include nausea, bloating, and belching. It can sometimes be difficult to know if symptoms are due to a heart attack or heartburn.

Doctors often find making a diagnosis based on symptoms alone difficult and rely on tests. Sometimes even doctors can find their symptoms difficult to understand. A doctor at Harvard, for example, has told his story of heart disease.

He had a burning symptom in his upper belly whenever he exercised, but treatments for heartburn did not help. It was not until he became breathless and unable to carry on that he sought medical help. Tests revealed heart disease that was close to causing a heart attack.

If there is any suspicion of a heart attack, getting to an emergency room quickly is important. These could also be signs of a more serious condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD , cancer , or a peptic ulcer. Immediate treatment may include :. Tests for heart attack may include :.

Percutaneous coronary intervention is one form of treatment. A doctor will mechanically open up narrowed arteries by threading a small catheter through a blood vessel, usually in the groin. A device, such as a balloon, is used to widen the narrowed artery and improve flow through it. A mesh tube, known as a stent, may be left in place, to keep the vessel open.

Drugs known as fibrinolytic or thrombolytic agents are another treatment option for heart attack. These medications are used to break down clots. Other drugs may be continued to prevent further clotting events, including blood-thinners such as aspirin and heparin. Surgery options may include coronary artery bypass graft. Here, a surgeon grafts on a new blood vessel taken from another part of the body to bypass the blocked coronary artery.

People who have experienced a heart attack will also be urged to make long-term efforts to reduce their risk of future problems. There may be more intensive help with such changes from a program known as cardiac rehabilitation. Common ways that people describe pain associated with heart disease include:. People with GERD may have temporary, severe chest pain when taking a deep breath or coughing. This difference is key. Ask yourself if your chest pain changes in intensity or goes away completely when you change your body position to figure out the cause of the discomfort.

Muscle strains and GERD-related chest pain tend to feel better when you move your body. The symptoms of acid reflux, including chest pain and heartburn, may get a lot better as you straighten your body to a sitting or standing position. Bending and lying down can make GERD symptoms and discomfort worse, particularly right after eating. Cardiac chest pain keeps hurting, regardless of your body position. But, it can also come and go throughout the day, depending on the severity of the pain.

NCCP associated with indigestion or a pulled muscle tends to be uncomfortable for a long period of time before going away. Assessing other symptoms that occur with chest pain can help you distinguish one form of pain from another. Noncardiac, gastrointestinal causes of chest pain can include a variety of other symptoms, including:.

Your doctor may perform an EKG or stress test. Usually, a full medical history and testing can help your doctor find the reason for your chest pain and put you on the road to recovery. The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you need help finding a primary care doctor.