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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Difference between heart attack, heartburn, angina
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Difference between heart attack, heartburn, angina
by Katherine__0, Jun 24, 1998 12:00AM
Last night I was enraged to the point of uncontrollable shaking. It was a few minutes later that I felt a most uncomfortable squeezing pain on the upper left side of my chest, spreading up the left side of my neck. It gradually receded twenty or so minutes later. Now I'm only 19 and I exercise about four times a week, so I should be pretty healthy in that respect, though I realize I don't eat quite as well as I should; I'm on the thin side. I have a classic type A personality and have been going on around 5-6 hours of sleep a night, so I think it might just be a stress related problem. Also, the pain was only on the left side. I hear if it were any kind of heart trouble, it should be down the center of the chest. I can't tell if it would be heartburn, angina, or a heart attack and I'm still waiting for my doctor to call me back. Could someone tell me what are some of the major differences? Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Cardio MD - MTR, Jun 24, 1998 12:00AM
_
Dear Katherine, thank you for your question. At age 19, it would be extremely
uncommon for you to have angina from coronary artery disease. Chest pain
can be caused by many different conditions including arthritis, heartburn,
anxiety, pneumonia, etc. Anginal pain usually occurs with exertion and is
often accompanied by profuse sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, and
radiation to the arms, neck, and jaw. Angina usually occurs with the same
level of exertion and often is the same type of pain with each episode.
If sudden chest pain with the anginal associations occurs, a heart attack
may be in progress so prompt medical attention should be sought. Heartburn
usually occurs after eating and feels like a sharp pain that radiates up the
chest to the mouth. Heartburn is often accompanied by a sour, acid taste in
the mouth and gets worse with lying down. Antacids often relieve heartburn
pain completely. You mention that you were having an uncontrollable shaking
episode during your episode of chest pain which may be related to the stress
you say you are experiencing now. Stress can often precipitate non-cardiac
chest pain so stress management may help you greatly. I hope you find this
information useful.
Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Specific
diagnoses and therapies can only be provided by your physician.
