What Is Heartburn?

What is heartburn? Heartburn is usually offered as a possible explanation when a person complains of acute pain in the chest area; especially after the sufferer has taken a large, rich and spicy meal. The person experiencing the chest pains might mistake them for the onset of a heart attack. In order not to heighten the sufferer's fear and anxiety levels, heartburn is usually suggested to clam the situation till medical advice is sought.

Understanding the heartburn condition is the first step before treatments to get relief from the symptoms can be considered.

Once the chest pains are found to be heartburn related, some antacids or syrups can be taken to get quick relief. Occasionally, the symptoms of heartburn or heart attack may be difficult to tell apart by a lay person. In these cases, for avoidance of doubt, seek prompt medical attention. It might just save someone's life.

Heartburn versus Heart Attacks

Heartburn is caused by acid reflux from the stomach. The acid burns the sensitive walls of the esophagus and leads to the painful and sometimes frightening symptoms of heartburn. Since the sensations are felt around the chest area, some people may mistake them for the onset of a heart attack. The corrosive effects of acid reflux in the esophagus all the way up the throat that are characteristic of severe heartburn can lead to additional medical complications.

The esophagus has a sphincter muscle that works as a one-way valve. When this muscle becomes weak or damaged, the stomach's acid can back up into the esophagus causing heartburn episodes. This condition is called gastro esophageal reflux disease or GERD.

When a person suffers a heart attack, the pain emanates through the back and to the arms, causing a dull heaviness in the chest area. Understanding what is heartburn and the difference of this condition to an authentic heart attack is very important.

When in doubt about taking antacids for heartburn or rushing to the emergency ward of a hospital to receive urgent treatment for possible heart attacks, it is best to err on the side of caution and seek medical attention immediately. It would certainly be better to be sent home quickly with a prescription for heartburn medication rather than to misdiagnose the cardiac pains as heartburn symptoms.