Tightness in the Chest: Heart Attack or Acid Reflux?

Here’s how to distinguish between symptoms of a heart condition and acid reflux (GERD).
When chest pain is caused by heart issues, the pain feels tight or crushing and may radiate to the neck, jaw, shoulder, or left arm, often intensifying with physical exertion. In contrast, acid reflux causes chest pain when breathing deeply or coughing, but it doesn’t radiate to the jaw, shoulders, or arms, and usually worsens after meals.

Symptoms of Heart Disease or Ischemic Heart Disease

1. Tightness or pressure in the chest, as though being squeezed or compressed.
2. Pain radiating to the jaw, shoulder blades, left arm, or shoulder.
3. Pain worsens with exertion, accompanied by sweating, fainting, paleness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or nausea.
4. A sensation of tightness or a lump in the throat, and sometimes pressure below the sternum (epigastric region).

Symptoms of Acid Reflux (GERD)

1. Chest pain when breathing deeply or coughing, but no pain radiates to the jaw, shoulders, or arms.
2. Symptoms worsen after meals and when lying down.
3. Burning sensations in the chest or throat, along with discomfort or tightness below the sternum.
4. Sour burping, frequent belching, nausea, or a bitter taste rising to the throat and mouth.
5. Chronic cough, sore throat, and bad breath.
6. Difficulty swallowing, with a feeling of something obstructing the throat.

Differentiating between heart disease and acid reflux can be challenging because some symptoms overlap. However, the key difference is that heart-related symptoms typically worsen with exertion and may radiate to other parts of the body, while acid reflux is more closely linked to food intake and lying down. If you suspect a heart problem, especially if you experience severe chest pain, sweating, fainting, or difficulty breathing, seek medical help immediately. Timely diagnosis and treatment could save your life, so if in doubt, see a doctor as soon as possible for proper evaluation and care.