Heartburn or Heart Attack?
Description
This article is from the Health Articles series.
Heartburn or Heart Attack?
Heartburn or Heart Attack? Heartburn sometimes causes chest pain, a major symptom of heart disease.
Here are some key differences between the two:
Heartburn
- A sharp, burning sensation just below the breastbone or ribs.
- Pain rarely radiates to the shoulders, neck, or arms-but can.
- Pain usually comes after meals.
- Usually responds quickly to antacids.
- Rarely accompanied by a cold sweat
- A feeling of chest tightness or dull, oppressive pressure.
- Pain may spread to the shoulders, neck, or arms.
- Pain may be brought on by exercise or other exertion.
- Often responds quickly to nitroglycerin.
- Usually accompanied by a cold sweat.
Gastric Motility Enhancers
These prescription drugs, which quicken emptying of stomach contents and increase the strength of the LES, include cisapride (Propulsid) and metoclopramide (Reglan).
Caution: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a warning against the use of Propulsid except as a last resort. The recommendation came after new information linked the medication to serious drug interactions that can cause severe heart problems in certain patients.
Is It an Ulcer?
If your heartburn hangs around for more than two weeks or if your discomfort is accompanied by abdominal pain, see a doctor to rule out an ulcer. Although the symptoms are similar, the cause is not. Scientists now know that the Helicobacter pylori bacterium is the culprit behind most ulcers.
The best treatment, according to the National Institutes of Health, is known as "triple therapy." This method combines two kinds of antibiotics with either an acid suppressor (an H2-blocker or proton pump inhibitor) or a drug that shields the stomach lining (Pepto-Bismol).
A smaller percentage of ulcers are caused by overuse of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen and ibuprofen. Symptoms usually improve quickly for patients who stop taking the NSAIDs and begin taking a medication that curbs the production of stomach acid.
Other conditions that may cause heartburn-like symptoms include lactose intolerance and gallbladder disease. Most importantly, if "heartburn" is accompanied by pain in the chest or arms, shortness of breath, feelings of weakness, dizziness, irregular pulse, or sweating, contact a doctor immediately. You could be having a heart attack.
For more information, call the American College of Gastroenterology at 1-800-478-2876.
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