Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 20: Chest discomfort is often attributed to acidity, gas or indigestion, but doctors warn that some heart-related symptoms can closely resemble digestive problems and should not be ignored.
Dr Sunil Kumar Mandal, senior consultant interventional cardiologist and head of cardiology, said reduced blood flow to the heart does not always cause the classic crushing chest pain. It may instead feel like pressure, heaviness, burning, tightness or unusual discomfort in the centre of the chest.
Heart-related chest pain is more concerning when it feels like pressure, squeezing, heaviness or tightness, particularly when it lasts for more than a few minutes, keeps returning or occurs during physical activity or emotional stress. Pain spreading to the left or both arms, upper back, neck or jaw can also be a warning sign.
Other symptoms that require urgent attention include breathlessness, cold sweating, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, unusual weakness or a feeling of impending doom.
Heart attacks may not always follow the typical pattern. Women, older adults and people with diabetes can experience subtler symptoms such as unexplained breathlessness, severe fatigue, nausea, upper abdominal discomfort or pain in the back and jaw, sometimes without significant chest pain.
There is no foolproof way to distinguish gas or acidity from heart-related pain at home, the doctor said. Acid reflux more commonly causes a burning sensation after meals or while lying down and may be accompanied by a sour taste or regurgitation. However, these symptoms cannot reliably rule out a heart problem.
Temporary relief after taking an antacid should also not be considered proof that the discomfort was caused by acidity, as symptoms can fluctuate even during a cardiac event.
People with diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, a history of smoking, established heart disease or a strong family history of premature heart disease should be particularly cautious. Cardiac events are also increasingly being reported among younger adults with multiple risk factors, making age alone an unreliable reason to dismiss concerning symptoms.
Doctors advise seeking emergency medical care if chest discomfort is new, severe, persistent or recurrent, occurs with exertion, or is accompanied by sweating, breathlessness, faintness or pain spreading to other parts of the body.