Heartburn and chest pain are associated with each other. Although heartburn itself is an ailment that is affecting the stomach and esophagus, the pain and burning sensation it causes is felt in the chest area. This leads to the condition being named heartburn because the burning is felt behind the breastbone, which is where the human heart is located. It has nothing to do with the heart though. However, the chest pain can be so excruciating, it is often mistaken as life threatening. Although it is harmless and often goes in and out, it is better to know your real condition medically. Heart attack is also being confused for a mere heartburn and may cause fatal consequences for the patient.
To prevent yourself from having the wrong diagnosis, it is good to know what separates a heart attack from heartburn. A heart attack has the same intense pain in the chest that also radiates to the neck and face. It could also branch out to the shoulders and the arms. However, what distinguishes a heart attack most is shortness of breath. Heartburn patients breathe normally even though they might be in intense pain. The cause of heartburn is often the food that the person ate or on the eating habits. While for a heart attack, it is often caused by a stressor or from an exertion. Also, a heart attack victim has the symptom of sweating along with the other symptoms. While many people panics at the first indication of a severe chest pain, those that know the difference deals with the condition in a more organized way.
A heartburn can be treated by an over the counter medication or by proper eating habit. A heart attack is often caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. It could be a diet that is high on cholesterol, a sedentary way of life or being in a particularly stressful environment. These factors usually are going on for years before a victim experiences his first heart attack. If you are feeling the symptoms mentioned here but is not sure as to what is really causing it, seeing your doctor is the best step towards ensuring your safety.
