Heart Attack Vs Heartburn
For most of us practising as Cardiologists, more than 50% of patients with heart attack are initially treated/ mistaken as acidity or heartburn. This leads to late presentations and preventable deaths. Following are the points which all of us must know-

A possible reason for this is the ‘medical education’ that we have received from movies and TV serials. We have seen a heart attack enacted so often that we assume that it will be apparent when someone has one. Kindly note, heart attacks don’t always look like this-

It is not uncommon for heart attacks to present without apparent chest pain. A sense of discomfort in the upper abdomen or in the middle of the chest may not always mean acidity. Any discomfort from jaw to upper abdomen may arise from the heart.

Some common group of people where feeling of acidity as a presentation of heart attack is more frequent-
1. Diabetics
2. Elderly patients- Especially more than 75 years of age
3. Women
In these subsets, it is better to be over cautious if any red flags are noted as follows..

1. Acidity accompanied with unusual uneasiness, giddiness, sweating, cold extremities- all/ any of these.
2. Acidity that worsens on physical exertion.
3. Acidity that awakens one at night from deep sleep- BIG red flag.
4. Acidity that is more frequent and unresponsive to meds.

It is also important to know of an entity called postprandial angina..chest discomfort that typically happens after heavy meals and is commonly assumed as heartburn. Many patients have one or more of these warning signs days to weeks before a major heart attack..but are ignored.

Also, it may be impossible for even experienced doctors to differentiate between heartburn and heart attack only on the basis of symptoms or simple physical check up. Tests like an ECG or blood tests may often be needed to be certain.

Please keep these pointers in mind the next time you or someone close to you suffers from ‘acidity’. Do not self diagnose or self medicate if in doubt. A little more caution and awareness may make all the difference. Sometimes..Don’t Stay Home and Save Lives!