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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Burning Sensation In The Chest?

my husband says he has a burning in his chest area. He was outside earlier and when he came in he had a cup of coffee. He is 66 with a leaking aorta that his dr. says is not bad enough for any treatment. He has taken a tums tablet but still has the burning. Is it heartburn? email is YYYY@YYYY Thank you.

Mon, 19 Dec 2016
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
HI very pleased to answer you
Angina pectoris is a particular type of pain in the chest that occurs when the heart muscle (myocardium) does not get enough oxygen (transported by the blood). It occurs as a result of narrowing (atherosclerosis: deposition of cholesterol in the wall of the artery) or a spasm of one or more arteries bringing blood to different regions of the heart (the coronary arteries). The pain usually occurs during exercise, but it can also appear when exposed to cold, during a strong emotion, after a hearty meal, sometimes even at rest (this is a sign of severity) . They last on average 1 to 15 minutes (5 to 30 minutes in case of coronary spasm) and are usually relieved by resting or taking a medication called nitroglycerin (trinitrin). Pains can occur at any time of the day (or night), but are usually more frequent between 6 am and noon.
While the confusion of an episode of normal heartburn to a heart attack is not really a problem, imagine the repercussions if it was the other way around. What if you suffer from a much more serious illness but do not take all the actions, thinking it is nothing but heartburn that can be treated with normal medications. The consequences can be fatal. Thus, it is absolutely essential to distinguish between heartburn and other diseases that involve similar symptoms.

I URGE YOU TO TAKE YOUR HUSBAND TO A CARDIOLOGIST FOR A COMPLETE HEART CHECK UP.
best wishes
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What Causes Burning Sensation In The Chest?

HI very pleased to answer you Angina pectoris is a particular type of pain in the chest that occurs when the heart muscle (myocardium) does not get enough oxygen (transported by the blood). It occurs as a result of narrowing (atherosclerosis: deposition of cholesterol in the wall of the artery) or a spasm of one or more arteries bringing blood to different regions of the heart (the coronary arteries). The pain usually occurs during exercise, but it can also appear when exposed to cold, during a strong emotion, after a hearty meal, sometimes even at rest (this is a sign of severity) . They last on average 1 to 15 minutes (5 to 30 minutes in case of coronary spasm) and are usually relieved by resting or taking a medication called nitroglycerin (trinitrin). Pains can occur at any time of the day (or night), but are usually more frequent between 6 am and noon. While the confusion of an episode of normal heartburn to a heart attack is not really a problem, imagine the repercussions if it was the other way around. What if you suffer from a much more serious illness but do not take all the actions, thinking it is nothing but heartburn that can be treated with normal medications. The consequences can be fatal. Thus, it is absolutely essential to distinguish between heartburn and other diseases that involve similar symptoms. I URGE YOU TO TAKE YOUR HUSBAND TO A CARDIOLOGIST FOR A COMPLETE HEART CHECK UP. best wishes