Heartburn or heart attack? Learn the symptoms.

Note: If you have questions about your heart health, it’s best to talk with a trained health professional. If your health might be in immediate danger, call 911 immediately in order to get to the nearest emergency room.

A spicy meal, a drink or two with dinner… and now a burning pain in your chest. It’s just heartburn, right? After all, more than 15 million Americans may experience that common sign of heartburn every day.¹

Because it's possible to mistake chest pain caused by a heart attack for heartburn, it's important to check with a health care provider or cardiologist if you're unsure. Know the symptoms of each condition and get help fast when you need it.

In this article:

Typical symptoms of heartburn

Despite the name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart — that muscular organ that pumps blood through the body. But discomfort from heartburn can start close by. Heartburn happens when digestive acid backs up from the stomach into the esophagus, the narrow “tube” that connects the stomach and the mouth.²

Typical symptoms of heartburn most often include the following:

• Pain or burning sensation in the center of the chest
• Bitter or acidic taste in the mouth
• Discomfort that gets worse after a meal or when you bend over or lie down³

Severe or recurring heartburn can mimic symptoms of a heart attack. Heartburn can also be a symptom of actual heart troubles. Without proper testing, even doctors might miss the difference, particularly in women.^4,5,6

Heartburn vs. heart attack

Both conditions often start with chest discomfort. Both can surface if you’re overweight or if you smoke.^7,8 But the two have some major differences.

Note that if you have any of the following conditions, the best course is to get guidance from your health care provider.

• A heart attack is more likely to feel like pressure, tightness, squeezing or aching across the chest.⁹ Heartburn is typically a burning sensation located at the breastbone or upper stomach.¹⁰
• In a heart attack, pain might radiate out to your shoulders or arms and even spread to your neck, jaw or back.¹¹ Heartburn discomfort might travel up into your throat.¹²
• Fatty, acidic or spicy foods, caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, some medications or just an extra-large meal can kickstart heartburn.^13,14 Physical exertion or stress is more likely to trigger a heart attack.¹⁵
• A heart attack can include more symptoms, such as shortness of breath, cold sweats or suddenly feeling lightheaded or dizzy.¹⁶ Fatigue, nausea or even vomiting may also be symptoms, especially in women.¹⁷ But a heart attack can still be happening without these symptoms.

How long does heartburn last?

The duration of chest pain may not be a good clue for determining “heartburn or heart attack?” During a heart attack, the discomfort may last more than a few minutes, or it may go away and then return.¹⁸ Heartburn may last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. It may even depend on how much you ate.¹⁹

Long-lasting or frequent heartburn may be a sign of a more chronic or serious condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In GERD, the muscle that closes the esophagus from the stomach does not seal the opening fully, either due to weakening from various causes or increased pressure from the stomach or belly contents. This allows food and acids to "reflux" back up into the throat.²⁰

When to seek medical help

Chest pain is the reason for more than 8 million emergency room visits each year. Once actual heart problems are ruled out, several studies confirm that heartburn and other gastrointestinal causes are common culprits for chest pain.^21,22 But severe symptoms, even if they subside, should be taken seriously and checked out as quickly as possible. If you have any doubts, call 911.²³

Products to consider for heartburn

If the culprit behind your chest pain is simply heartburn, one of these three product types might help support relief:

• Antacids help neutralize stomach acid.²⁴ Their active ingredients may combine various salts of calcium, magnesium and aluminum.²⁵ They can provide the quickest relief in the short term.²⁶
• H2 blockers reduce stomach acid production for up to 12 hours. These products commonly contain cimetidine or famotidine. They can take up to 1 to 3 hours to act but can soothe symptoms for several hours.^27,28,29
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) stop nearly all stomach acid production. They take 1 to 4 days to work fully, and they are only intended for 2 weeks of heartburn self-treatment.

All of these heartburn relief support products are available over the counter. Some H2 blockers and PPIs can be prescribed in stronger doses for more severe conditions. But all heartburn drugs have side effects and may interact with medications you are already taking. So, talk to your health care provider before taking these or any types of heartburn medicine — and if they aren’t working, let your health care provider know.^30,31

This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.