A Cardiac Warning Sign: The One Big Tell of a Heart Attack vs. Heartburn

National Jewish Health specialists break down the critical symptoms requiring immediate emergency care

“It's extremely common for patients to confuse heartburn symptoms versus heart attack symptoms,” said Minisha Kochar, MD, a cardiologist at National Jewish Health. “Both of these illnesses can feel like pain in the middle of the chest.” She added that, the biggest distinction between the two, is that foods typically trigger heartburn, and antacids at least partially relieve it, which is not the case with heart attack.

Comparing common symptoms of heart attack and heartburn

Common symptoms that may distinguish either a heart issue or heartburn include:

Dr. Kochar said the symptoms of a heart attack often vary between women and men, too. Men usually feel pressure in their chest, which spreads down their arm, neck or back, while women tend to have more jaw pain or classic heartburn symptoms.

“If the symptoms are new, unrelated to food or have any other associated feelings, like shortness of breath, that would be a time to go seek care in an emergency room,” Dr. Kochar said.

Heart attack risk factors

Every year, more than 800,000 Americans have a heart attack, and for one in four, it’s their second heart attack, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Heart attacks frequently result in damage to the heart muscle from blockages in the arteries and a limited oxygen supply, and their severity can vary depending on the patient.

Dr. Kochar said the main risk factors for a heart attack include:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Limited exercise
• Family history of cardiovascular disease
• Poor diet
• Smoking

“Diets that are high in saturated fats, high in processed foods, high in sugar, high in red meat, these all increase cardiovascular risk significantly,” Dr. Kochar said.

Options for diagnosis and treatment

Cardiologists can quickly diagnose an oncoming heart attack with an electrocadiogram (EKG), a test that records a heart’s electrical activity, or a blood test to scan for troponin, an enzyme that leaks from damaged heart cells. Follow-up tests also include an echocardiogram or ultrasound to analyze the heart function.

Patients can then receive treatment in the cardiac catheterization lab to mechanically open their arteries, repair valves and study heart rhythm issues. Dr. Kochar recommends routine follow-ups to manage medication with appropriate diet and lifestyle changes.

Why you need to get help fast

Dr. Kochar stressed the importance of diagnosing heart attack symptoms early because they can also damage the kidney, liver and lungs, and lead to other heart complications.

“Delaying a diagnosis of a heart attack does have dire implications,” Dr. Kochar said. “It can lead to long-term disability, it can lead to irregular, potentially dangerous heart rhythms and, worst-case scenario, death.”

According to the CDC, heart disease remains the number one killer of men and women in the U.S. Although not everyone with heart disease ultimately has a heart attack, Dr. Kochar noted the importance of early prevention with diet and exercise.

National Jewish Health is the leading respiratory hospital in the nation delivering excellence in multispecialty care and world class research. Founded in 1899 as a nonprofit hospital, National Jewish Health today is the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to groundbreaking medical research and treatment of children and adults with respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders. Patients and families come to National Jewish Health from around the world to receive cutting-edge, comprehensive, coordinated care. To learn more, visit njhealth.org or the media resources page.