Heart attack or heartburn? When to worry
Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital
For more information about the author, click to view their website: Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital
Nov 25, 2024
Colorado - Boulder County
It’s American Heart Month, so there’s no better time for a distinguishing guide of heart attacks VS heartburn. It's natural to feel concerned when experiencing chest discomfort but understanding the difference between conditions can provide peace of mind.
Some of our expert caregivers provided crucial insight around the matter, and their practical advice will help navigate your heart health journey.
"Doctors see an increase in the number of heart attacks during the winter season,” said William Daines, MD at Intermountain Medical Center. “Similarly, heartburn rates go up this time of year, in part due to overindulgence of comfort foods, late eating, and increased alcohol intake."
By learning to recognize the signs and symptoms of each condition, you can take the appropriate steps to address your concerns and, if needed, seek medical care.
"Although heartburn and heart attack symptoms can share similarities, it is important to recognize the difference,” said Kirstin Hesterberg, DO, an Intermountain Health cardiologist in Denver, Colorado.
Heartburn signs and symptoms
Heartburn often feels like a burning sensation in your chest that can move up to your throat. And despite its name, it has nothing to do with your heart. It’s caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus.
"Indigestion generally causes temporary chest discomfort or burning anywhere from the upper abdomen to the throat,” said Dr. Daines. “Heartburn usually hits after eating spicy, fatty, or greasy foods, but as with too much caffeine, feeling stressed, or eating too much."
Common signs and symptoms of heartburn include:
- Burning sensation in the chest
- Sour taste in the mouth
- Difficulty swallowing
- Regurgitation of food or liquid
These symptoms usually occur after eating or when lying down. While heartburn can be uncomfortable, it typically doesn’t cause severe pain or lasting damage to the heart.
Heart attack signs and symptoms
A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot. Unlike heartburn, a heart attack can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
Common signs and symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Chest pain or discomfort, which may feel like pressure, squeezing, or fullness
- Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea, lightheadedness, or cold sweats
Soubi Azzouz, MD, Interventional and Structural Cardiologist at St. Mary’s Medical Center, said the most common symptom association he sees is with exertional activities.
“During silent heart attacks, the most common ‘nonviolent’ symptom that patients experience is exertional dizziness or shortness of breath while doing an activity,” said Dr. Azzouz. “And they sit down, and it goes away, and don’t link it with their heart.”
Silent heart attacks are cardiac arrests with mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all, that you may not recognize as a medical emergency.
It's important to note that not everyone experiences the same symptoms, and women may have different signs than men. If you suspect you or someone else is having a heart attack, don’t wait – call emergency services.
“These symptoms can indicate a serious cardiovascular event and require prompt attention," said Dr. Hesterberg. "If someone experiences heartburn with other symptoms, especially the ones mentioned above, seeking care is advised."
Heart attack prevention
We wrote about heart attack risk factors this month. While some risk factors for heart attacks, like age and family history, can’t be changed, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:
- Maintain a healthy diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. If you need heart-smart diet advice, check out the latest in heart healthy diets.
- Stay physically active with regular exercise. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends 150 minutes of moderately intense aerobic activity.
- Manage stress through relaxation techniques or hobbies. Research has shown that anger, depression, and anxiety are all strong risk factors for heart disease.
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption. The AHA recommends no more than two drinks per day for men, and one drink per day for women.
- Keep chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol under control with medication and lifestyle changes. Regular visits with your primary care provider should supplement this.
By adopting heart-healthy habits, you can significantly lower your risk of experiencing a heart attack.
Understanding the differences between heartburn and a heart attack is crucial for your well-being. If you’re unsure about your symptoms, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and seek help. Take care of your heart – it’s the only one you have!
- To view the original version of this article visit intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/heartburn-or-heart-attack-when-to-worry
- Seniors Blue Book was not involved in the creation of this content.
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About Dignity Care
Dignity Care is a homegrown business in Boulder.In the 1990s, Mary Kirk, a registered dietitian, began caregiving for family and relatives. Her husband, Ged, offered a companion travel service for the elderly and disabled. Together they established Dignity Care, LLC in 1997 as a home care business with just two caregivers and a home office.As demand for home care service increased, Mary recruited additional caregivers, but always with an emphasis on the compassionate, respectful, personalized care that was Dignity Cares trademark. Mary created her own approach to senior home care, unique in this area.With this dedication and passion to provide the best caregivers in the Boulder County region, Dignity Care has continued to grow and in 2009 became licensed as a Class A home care provider. We specialize in using Certified Nursing Assistants on our teams so we can bring you the skill and experience you deserve, if you have any questions, please call us at 303-444-4040.
In Home Care Helps Seniors with Depression
Too many seniors grapple with isolation and depression, but these are not a normal part of growing older. They are treatable medical illnesses, much like heart disease or diabetes. Depression is a serious illness affecting approximately 15 out of every 100 adults over age 65 in the United States.Seniors experiencing feelings of depression and isolation have a higher risk of hospital admissions, as well as a higher risk for being scammed. Not to mention it makes for a miserable life.So, what can you do? Helping seniors stay healthy means more than ensuring they get good physical care. Individuals living alone miss out on the stimulation of interactions with others on a regular basis. Our caregivers serve that dual purpose of providing physical care and social connection. We enjoy our clients, building a relationship with them, and sharing the highs and lows of their days. Caregivers can laugh with their clients and be an empathetic ear. We make sure our clients are getting out of the house and attending events and activities that interest them.Hiring a caregiver to help out, even for a couple of hours each week, brings conversation and spark along with the physical help. Caregivers are a good antidote for depression. If you have any questions, please call us at 303-444-4040.
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Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital
Emergency Departments for Seniors 200 Exempla Circle, Lafayette, Colorado, 80026Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital senior E.R. is Colorado's first E.R. facility constructed with seniors needs in mind. By implementing a philosophy of care for the geriatric patient and implementing a variety of screenings designed for the senior population, physicians hope that their senior E.R. will help lower readmission rates and reduce the risk of harmful drug interactions. In order to give excellent emergency care to seniors in our community including specialized screening and care, physicians and nurses have taken workshops in sensory appreciation and ageism to learn how to better communicate with older adults and their caregivers. The Senior ER provides a less chaotic and stressful environment for senior patients while optimizing their discharge to the most appropriate and safe environment.
Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital
Hospitals 200 Exempla Circle, Lafayette, Colorado, 80026Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital is a community-based, acute-care hospital in Lafayette, Colorado. Intermountain Health is a nonprofit faith-based health system with hospitals in two states. At Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital, we are happy to tell you about us: our compassionate caregivers, our clinical excellence, our award-winning care and even our beautiful campus. But its really all about you. Our patients and families are the center of every thought, communication and action that takes place in this healing space.
