Does Heartburn Cause Chest Pain?

Heartburn is a common symptom encountered by many. The moment food passes through the esophagus and enters the stomach, a band of muscles that connects the two parts seals up in order to prevent the flow back of stomach acid. This band of muscles is known as LES, or the lower esophageal sphincter. At any time that the LES becomes weak and unable to fully close, leakage of gastric acids occurs, which causes heartburn.    

Heartburn can be triggered by many things including the types of food we eat. Too much caffeine and alcohol, or carbonated drinks can easily aggravate the condition. The stomach naturally produces gastric acids to aid in the digestion. However, too much build-up of acid will often result in heartburn. Foods that slow down digestion such as those high in cholesterol also contribute to the causes of this condition. Obesity, pregnancy and asthma are also among the cases during which heartburn is more likely to occur. 

Symptoms 

A symptom of heartburn, as mentioned before, includes an irritating, burning sensation in the chest. This usually lasts a few hours, and may disrupt sleep as well as other activities. Another symptom would be an acrid taste in the mouth. When the patient suffers from acid reflux, sometimes the flow back is too much and it reaches the part where you can actually taste the bitterness or sourness of the stomach contents. Acid reflux accompanied by heartburn, sometimes irritates the lining of the esophagus, making it hard and painful to swallow. 

Recurrent episodes of heartburn may be signs of a worse case known as GERD or Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disorder. At this point, it becomes even harder to treat the condition and relieve the pain. If you noticed the symptoms occurring very often, you must immediately consult a physician.  

 Heartburn and Chest pain 

There are a number of reasons why people experience chest pain. Sometimes, it is hard to target the exact cause since it could be anything from heartburn to life threatening conditions such as heart and lung diseases. Severe chest pains should not be taken lightly. At any moment when something like this occurs, you must not waste time and immediately call for help.  

Esophageal disorders caused by acid reflux have symptoms of chest pain that are usually mistaken for a heart attack. This is the reason why the symptom is commonly called heartburn, although the true condition is not related to any cardiovascular disorders. The patient will feel a heated and painful sensation within the chest, radiating towards the neck and the throat.  

This symptom can be treated via a natural and healthy way through acid reflux diet that help relieve the pain and neutralize acids in the stomach. It can also be prevented by maintaining a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle.