Similar to a Heart Attack, the Sensation of Acid Reflux Symptoms Often Causes Panic

Sudden chest pain, heaviness, and tightness often cause panic because we commonly associate them with heart attack symptoms. However, these symptoms could be caused by acid reflux problems instead.

One of the main causes of chest pain similar to a heart attack is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux disease. When stomach acid rises, it can create a burning sensation in the chest. It’s no surprise that this is often mistaken for heart problems.

GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) is a medical condition that occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. This happens because the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle at the bottom of the esophagus, weakens or doesn’t function properly. This muscle should act as a valve to prevent stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus. However, when this mechanism is disrupted, stomach acid can flow back, causing irritation and inflammation in the lining of the esophagus.

Unlike ulcers, which occur due to sores in the stomach lining, although ulcers can be worsened by excess stomach acid, not all ulcer sufferers experience acid reflux symptoms like GERD sufferers do. GERD often causes more severe symptoms, including a burning chest pain, especially after eating.

GERD symptoms can vary from person to person, but some common symptoms include:

• Burning sensation in the chest – This often occurs after eating or when lying down, commonly referred to as heartburn.
• Chest pain – The pain felt in the chest is often mistaken for a heart attack symptom.
• Sour or bitter taste in the mouth – Stomach acid rising into the esophagus can reach the mouth, causing a sour or bitter taste.
• Difficulty swallowing – It may feel like something is stuck or blocking the throat when swallowing food or liquids.
• Bloating or fullness – A feeling of fullness or bloating in the stomach that causes discomfort.
• Excessive burping – A sensation of trapped air in the stomach leading to frequent burping.
• Chronic cough and sore throat – Stomach acid rising can irritate the throat, causing a persistent cough or a dry, scratchy feeling in the throat.

Additionally, some GERD patients report symptoms of shortness of breath, which can sometimes be confusing because these symptoms resemble those of a heart attack.

As mentioned earlier, some symptoms of acid reflux or GERD can closely resemble heart attack symptoms, which can cause confusion and anxiety. Therefore, it is important to understand the differences between the two to avoid unnecessary panic.

• Timing and Triggering Conditions
• Chest pain caused by acid reflux usually worsens after eating or lying down, especially when the body’s position does not support good digestion. Bending over or changing positions can cause stomach acid to rise into the esophagus, intensifying chest pain.
• On the other hand, chest pain from a heart attack tends to persist regardless of body position or time.
• Response to Medications
• Chest pain due to GERD typically improves after taking antacids or acid-reducing medications.
• However, during a heart attack, acid reflux medications will not alleviate the chest pain.
• Additional Symptoms
• GERD chest pain generally does not include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. In contrast, heart attacks often involve severe shortness of breath that can persist.
• Additionally, GERD sufferers often experience bloating or excessive burping, which are not linked to heart attacks.
• Stomach and Digestive Health Signs
• In a heart attack, symptoms are not accompanied by digestive issues like bloating or a full stomach.
• However, in GERD, digestive complaints often precede chest pain.

If GERD or acid reflux symptoms are not properly managed, the condition can progress and lead to serious long-term complications, such as:

• Esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) – Chronic inflammation of the esophagus due to repeated exposure to stomach acid.
• Esophageal stricture (narrowing of the esophagus) – The formation of scar tissue in the esophagus that narrows the swallowing tube, making it difficult to swallow.
• Barrett’s Esophagus – Changes to the cells in the esophagus that increase the risk of esophageal cancer.
• Esophageal Cancer – In severe cases, untreated GERD can cause damage to the esophageal cells, increasing the risk of developing cancer.

Preventing GERD or acid reflux symptoms can be done with several simple steps, especially when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Here are some helpful tips:

• Avoid Acidic Trigger Foods Some foods can trigger acid reflux, such as:
• Coffee and caffeinated drinks
• Chocolate and sweet foods
• Spicy and acidic foods
• Alcohol and carbonated drinks Try to avoid or limit these foods to prevent symptoms.
• Maintaining an Ideal Weight Being overweight can increase pressure on the stomach and trigger acid reflux. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent GERD.
  
  
• Eating Smaller, More Frequent Meals Eating large meals can increase pressure on the stomach, making it easier for stomach acid to rise. Try eating smaller portions more frequently throughout the day.
  
  
• Avoid Lying Down After Eating After eating, avoid lying down immediately. Sit or walk around for about 30 minutes after meals to help with digestion.
  
  
• Avoid Smoking and Alcohol Smoking and consuming alcohol can worsen acid reflux symptoms and damage the esophageal sphincter muscle, impairing the body’s ability to prevent acid reflux.
  
  
• Consult a Doctor If you experience GERD symptoms, such as chest burning or difficulty swallowing, consult a doctor right away. The doctor can provide appropriate treatment and offer healthier lifestyle advice.
  
  

Proper treatment for GERD is crucial to prevent further complications and improve the quality of life for sufferers. While not as dangerous as a heart attack, untreated acid reflux can lead to serious long-term health impacts.

Here are several reasons why specialist care is highly recommended:

1. Accurate Diagnosis Since acid reflux symptoms can resemble heart disease, it’s important for a gastroenterology expert to properly diagnose your condition. Through additional tests like endoscopy, esophageal pH tests, or esophageal manometry, a specialist can determine whether stomach acid is indeed rising into the esophagus and the extent of the damage.
   
   
2. Determine Severity In some cases, GERD can progress and cause more serious complications if not treated correctly. Esophagitis, esophageal narrowing (stricture), and Barrett’s esophagus (cell changes that may lead to cancer) are complications that can occur. A specialist can assess the severity of your GERD and help plan treatment to prevent more serious health issues.
   
   
3. Provide Effective Treatment GERD treatment varies depending on the severity of the condition. A specialist will prescribe acid-reducing medications such as PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitors) or H2 blockers, which can help reduce stomach acid production and ease esophageal irritation. If medication is ineffective, doctors may recommend certain medical procedures, such as Nissen fundoplication, which helps repair the weakened esophageal sphincter and reduce GERD symptoms.
   
   
4. Preventing Long-Term Complications Untreated GERD can lead to serious complications, such as chronic esophagitis, esophageal narrowing, and in severe cases, esophageal cancer. With proper care from a specialist, you can prevent these complications. Early treatment can reduce the risk of permanent damage to the esophagus and ensure better recovery.
   
   
5. Comprehensive Care Approach Often, GERD management not only focuses on medical treatment but also includes a holistic approach that involves lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques, safe exercises for GERD sufferers, and proper dietary adjustments. A gastroenterology specialist’s team can provide integrated care that focuses on overall health to reduce acid reflux symptoms and prevent relapses.

At IHH Healthcare Malaysia, our team of gastroenterology specialists is ready to help you manage recurring acid reflux symptoms or GERD, providing comprehensive care to prevent further issues and improve your quality of life.