Is There Any Correlation Between Heartburn And Acid Reflux?

Posted on Wed, 1 Jun 2016

Question: What is the connection between heartburn or acid reflux (if that is the same thing), and more serious heart problems? Or is there no connection, merely symptoms that are difficult to distinguish from each other?

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
they both are different

Detailed Answer:
Welcome to health care magic, I share your concern and I will try to help you out in best possible way.
Heartburn is a very common symptom created by acid reflux, a condition where some of the stomach contents (including stomach acid) are forced back up into the esophagus, creating a burning pain in the lower chest.
Sometimes even heart problems like angina and myocardial infarction(MI) present with heartburn like symptoms, but they are usually associated with pain radiating to left shoulder, sweating, palpitation etc. and also it is usually suspected in patients with risk factors like diabetes, hypertention, elderly and obese patients, chain smokers etc..
The reason why even heart conditions like MI present with heartburn like symptoms is due to referred pain, as some of the dermatomes(nerves) supplying heart tissue also supply diaphragm and lower aspect of chest.
Hope this clarifies your doubts. Revert back to me if you have follow up queries.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.

Dr. Naveen XXXXXXX
Medical Consultant.
Ebix, Inc.
YYYY@YYYY

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar