Wondering if my symptoms are really GERD

My doctor has diagnosed my with Gerd without performing any tests and I'm wondering if his diagnosis is correct.  I have significant pain in the area of my heart and left breast.  Sometimes it feels as though it is in my breast and other times it feels like it is my heart.  During the occasions when I feel the pain in my heart I will check my heart rate and, at rest, it is between 96-120.  My doctor seems to discount the fact that my heart rate, while sitting or standing, is so high.  He gave me Nexium which I have been taking for a week.  The symptoms have improved but I do continue to feel the pain several times a day and continue to have the high heart rate.  Any suggestions woud be appreciated.

Thank you

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
If you have heartburn, then it is most probably GERD.
If you find improvement with PPI ( Nexium) it is diagnostic of GERD.

Since you find improvement with Nexium you do have GERD. You can confirm it with 24 hours pH monitoring test.
If you have persistently high heart rate have a cardiac work up done.