HEART ATTACK OR HEARTBURN? Knowing the difference can save your life.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Differentiating  between a heart attack, caused by a blockage of the arteries that feed your heart, and heartburn, caused by excess stomach acid washing up into your esophagus, is not always easy, even for health practitioners. In many cases, however, you can tell the difference  between the two, and knowing how might just save your life.
With both a heart attack and heartburn, you may feel burning or pressure  behind your sternum, (also known as the breastbone), the flat bone in the center of your chest. Because the heart  is in the left chest, many assume that a heart attack would announce itself on that side. Not so. Those experiencing  a heart attack classically feel pain in the center of their breastbone as a result of the way their nerves are wired.

SERIOUS SYMPTOMS OF A HEART ATTACK

Sudden tightening, squeezing, or crushing chest pain.

If you have any of these symptoms, there is an increased likelihood that what you are feeling is from your heart. If it's sudden and severe, take it seriously and act quickly by calling 911 or the emergency number  in your area.

Pain radiating up into your neck, jaw, shoulders, or into your left arm.

Pain from the hurt burn  normally limits itself to the center of the chest. If pain radiates elsewhere, your heart could be the source. Patients  with early heart attacks complain of pressure in the chest accompanied by a vague in the neck neck or jaw.

Pain that comes on while you are exercising or exerting yourself.

Heartburn usually follows a meal and lying down or bending over makes it worst. Unless you are exercising after a big meal, exertion should not trigger heartburn. If you get chest pain, burning, squeezing or pressure when you walk briskly or climb stairs, your health practitioner needs to know. This pain, also as angina,  is a signal that you have a blockage  in the arteries  to your heart and could  mean that a serious heart attack is around the corner. Stress can also bring on an angina by stimulating  your heart through fight-or-flight hormones.

Feeling breathless, sweaty or dizzy.

If you feel unwell, light-headed, fatigued, have trouble breathing, or are clammy with perspiration , something serious is likely going on. If you even slightly suspect that your symptoms are heart related, you must get medical attention as soon as possible. If your symptoms are mild and you cant get in touch with your health practitioner, go to an extended-hours clinic and let them know immediately that you are experiencing chest pain. If your symptoms are significant, particularly if the pain or pressure is severe  and does not settle one
down, call 911 or the emergency number in your area
Never drive yourself. . If your pain becomes a full-on heart while you're at the wheel, it could be disastrous.
Also, if you think you are having angina or a heart attack, take an Aspirin. It reduces the risk of blood clots and can protect you from more severe injury to your heart.

Heading Off Heartburn

If it turns out you have  heartburn, there are many things that you can do to prevent it. Eat smaller meals, avoid lying down after a meal and avoid heartburn-promoting foods such as alcohol, chocolate. coffee, fatty foods, citrus juices, tomato sauces, pop, vinegar, and - believe it or not - peppermint tea. If you are overweight, work on slimming down. the excess pounds put pressure on your stomach and cause acid to back up into the esophagus. Avoid tight-fitting clothes for the same reason. If you get mild symptoms from time to time,  an over-the-counter antacid may provide relief, as can stress-reduction techniques. Aloe vera juice or digestive enzyme supplements will surely work as well.You can also do much to prevent heart disease and eventual heart attacks. The top risk factors associated with heart disease include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, increased cholesterol, and strong family history.

You can minimize your risk through a heart-healthy lifestyle: exercise regularly; minimize stress; eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and fibre; avoid trans fats, get regular health check-ups, and maintain a healthy weight. Heart-healthy superfoods include the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, Co-Q10, antioxidants such as OPC-3. Each of these lifestyle actions will also help you prevent or even treat diabetes and high blood pressure and cholesterol.

By Suasan Bali, M.D. is a wellness expert, speaker, and author of Live a Life You Love.