It can be difficult or even impossible to tell what is causing chest pain.
Occasional bouts of heartburn are common. But, if you have a persistent heartburn, where in you take antacids frequently, it is important that you consult with your doctor. Your heartburn may be a symptom of Gastro esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or any other medical condition. So, it is important for you to understand the difference between the pain of a heart attack and the burning pain of acid reflux. Nevertheless, there are a few tell-tale signs that the problem can occur due to digestion: If....
• You have just eaten a large and fatty meal
• You have experienced indigestion problems in the past
• The pain has occurred after exercise
• You are breathless
It is also difficult to distinguish between cardiac and esophageal causes of chest pain based upon symptoms, as the nerves that supply the heart supply the esophagus as well. In order to determine if a person is experiencing acid reflux chest pain, physicians conduct certain tests to measure acid levels in the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
It is important that you should not assume the chest pain is caused by GERD until you have been thoroughly evaluated by a physician to rule out any heart disease. So, a medical emergency is important for proper diagnosis and prompt treatment.
