| Severe heartburn caused by acid reflux and | | | | but can subside when lying down or from general |
| GERD (gastroesphageal reflux disease) is suffered | | | | rest. |
| by millions of people across the globe. Heartburn | | | | When should you seek immediate medical |
| feels as though one's heart is on fire. However, | | | | attention? Although the above symptoms are |
| this feeling is simply caused by stomach acid being | | | | typical for each condition, they may not be the |
| pushed back up into the esophagus, which tends | | | | same for everyone. Therefore, it is in your best |
| to result in a burning sensation behind the breast | | | | interest to pay close attention to the symptoms |
| bone. Thus, the effects of heartburn are not | | | | you experience. If you have GERD or are prone |
| actually causing the heart any damage. | | | | to acid reflux, write down the symptoms you feel |
| Unfortunately, it is easy to mistaken an attack of | | | | and refer to these each time you experience |
| severe heartburn for a heart attack or vice | | | | heartburn to be sure that is what you are |
| versa. In fact, it is estimated that every year | | | | experiencing. If for any reason you experience a |
| over five million Americans with chest pain, who | | | | symptom you've never felt before, or are |
| fear a heart attack, are admitted to emergency. | | | | worried that your condition could be more serious |
| Of these five million cases of chest pain, more | | | | than severe heartburn, Seek Medical Attention |
| than half are noncardiac chest pain cases (NCCP), | | | | Immediately. It's better to be safe than sorry! |
| and as many as 60% of these NCCP cases are | | | | If it turns out that you are suffering a heart |
| GERD related. | | | | attack, the first few hours of your symptoms |
| How can you distinguish heartburn from a heart | | | | are critical for effectively saving your heart |
| attack? Although symptoms may be similar, the | | | | muscle. |
| following are the symptoms associated with each | | | | In addition, make sure you see your doctor for |
| condition to help you determine your personal | | | | regular physical checkups to help ensure that you |
| diagnosis: | | | | heart is strong and healthy. Furthermore, if you |
| Typical heartburn Symptoms - Discomfort and/or | | | | have not been diagnosed with GERD, but |
| burning pain located directly behind the | | | | experience frequent chest pains, be sure to bring |
| breastbone, which is often accompanied by | | | | any symptoms to your doctor's attention to |
| burping, bloating or gas. Sometimes an acidic taste | | | | receive a proper diagnosis. |
| can be felt in the back of the throat or mouth. | | | | Finally, if you are suffering from severe heartburn, |
| Symptoms are generally worse after eating, | | | | medication is the only effective treatment to |
| especially after large meals. They may also worse | | | | provide quick relief. The following are three types |
| after ingesting alcohol, caffeine and after using | | | | of medications that may provide you quick relief: |
| tobacco. | | | | - OTC Antacids - Tums, Rolaids, Maalox, and |
| Heartburn usually feels worse when lying down to | | | | Gelusil. |
| rest. Heartburn symptoms may subside after | | | | - OTC or prescription H-2 receptor blockers - |
| taking an over-the-counter (OTC) antacid. | | | | OTC Pepcid AC, and Zantac 75 - while |
| However, in severe heartburn cases, prescribed | | | | prescription meds may be Axid, Tagamet, Pepcid |
| medication may be the only treatment to provide | | | | and Zantac |
| relief. | | | | - OTC or prescription Proton pump inhibitors - |
| Typical Heart Pain - A tight feeling in the middle of | | | | OTC Prilosec - Prescription Nexium, Prevacid, |
| the chest that may also feel like squeezing, | | | | Aciphex, and Protonix |
| weight or pressure in the chest. Pain may spread | | | | Keep in mind that taking medication all the time to |
| into the shoulders, neck and/or jaw. Sweating and | | | | treat your heartburn isn't the best way to treat |
| shortness of breath may also accompany | | | | your body, so be sure to discuss alternative |
| symptoms. Heart pain usually occurs after being | | | | treatment with your doctor. Try to avoid severe |
| physically active or exertion. | | | | heartburn in the first place by watching your diet |
| Heart pain will not subside after taking an antacid | | | | and eating smaller meals at a slower pace. |