Experiencing chest pain can cause serious concerns–as it should because this could be a symptom of a heart attack, which can be fatal. However, not all chest pain can signify a heart issue. There are also other illnesses that can bring you chest discomfort, such as anxiety, musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory issues, and digestive problems. Hence, it is important that you know how to distinguish whether a chest pain is cardiac related or not, so that urgent medical attention can be provided by a heart doctor in Singapore.
In this article, we will explore the roots of chest pain in relation to the cardiac and gastrointestinal systems, deciphering their differences and focusing on the importance of getting the right medical evaluation and intervention for your symptoms.
What is chest pain?
Chest pain is a general term that refers to the ache or discomfort that you feel on the front side of your body, in the area between the upper abdomen and the neck. The pain that you experience can vary according to its duration, nature, and severity. The discomfort can be achy and dull or stabbing and sharp. Mild chest pains may resolve immediately or after a short time, while some can sound the alarm for an emergency situation.
The key to differentiating a chest pain that can harm the heart from one that affects the digestive system is to know what your symptoms are, your health risks, and the nature of the pain.
Heart Attack or Digestive Problems?
Heart-Related Chest Pain
Heart attack or myocardial infarction is one cause of chest pain that many people dread and rightly so, as this can have serious consequences to your body’s health. This condition happens when there is an obstruction to the flow of blood to the heart. It is commonly caused by a blood clot in a coronary artery, which cuts the oxygen supply of the heart.
Chest pain that is linked to a heart attack is usually reported as:
- A tightness or squeezing sensation in the middle of the chest – This pain does not feel sharp nor stabbing, but many people describe it as feeling like there is an intense pressure or an extremely heavy object that is sitting on their chest.
- Pain that spreads to other parts of the body – The chest pain may radiate to the back, left arm, neck, or jaw.
- Pain that is triggered by exerting force and soothed when relaxing (angina) – A heart attack is usually a sudden occurrence, but chronic chest pain may also trigger it as the blood flow to the heart is lessened. This is a common sign of a condition called angina.
- Presence of other symptoms – These symptoms include cold sweats, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, or sudden fatigue.
- Unresponsive to medications, specifically antacids – This is a critical factor in differentiating signs of a heart issue vs digestive problem.
Causes of Heart-Related Chest Pain
The common causes of this condition are:
- Aortic dissection – This happens when there is a tear in the aorta’s wall.
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) – A common heart disease that is caused by the lack of blood, oxygen, and nutrients supplied to the heart.
- Myocardial infarction – Heart attack
- Pericarditis – This occurs when the sac surrounding the heart swells.
Risk Factors of Heart-Related Chest Pain
Your risk of experiencing chest pain that affects your heart may be high if:
- You are obese
- You are over 50 years old
- You have a family history of heart disease
- You have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes
- You smoke
Digestive-Related Chest Pain
Chest pain that affects your digestive system is a common concern among people and this may be due to a range of issues involving your gastrointestinal tract. The signs can be similar to those symptoms that cause heart attack, which can cause anxiety and be a challenge when determining a diagnosis.
Digestive-related chest pain may feel differently from chest pain that targets the heart. It is often described as:
- Pain that is burning or sharp
- Pain that is located behind the breastbone
- Pain that is relieved by antacids or burping
- Pain that is not accompanied by other symptoms like cold sweats or sudden fatigue
- Pain that surfaces after a meal or when lying down
Causes of Digestive-Related Chest Pain
Chest pain that is linked to a digestive problems is usually due to the following health conditions:
- Esophageal Spasms – This happens when the muscles of your esophagus have abnormal contractions. You may feel intense pain and a squeezing sensation akin to a heart attack. These spasms can be triggered by consuming hot or cold food or beverages, or sometimes stress.
- Esophagitis – This occurs when your esophagus becomes swollen due to infections, medications, or GERD, which leads to chronic chest pains, particularly when you swallow.
- Gallstones – The pain caused by gallstones are usually felt in the upper right abdomen, but there may be times when they spread to the chest area. This pain can be severe, surges periodically, and may be brought about by foods that are high in fats.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): This digestive disorder is the usual cause of digestive-related chest pain. GERD happens when the acid of your stomach flows back up into the esophagus, resulting in inflammation and irritation. You may feel a burning sensation, otherwise known as heartburn, in the area behind your breastbone. This condition usually aggravates after eating a meal, when bending over, or while lying down. You also may have difficulty swallowing or a sour taste in your mouth. This discomfort usually alleviates after taking an antacid.
- Peptic Ulcers – Pain due to peptic ulcers can be severely felt in the upper abdomen and spreads to your back and on some occasions, the pain can reach up to your chest. Peptic ulcers are caused by inflammation of the pancreas,
Risk Factors of Digestive-Related Chest Pain
Your risk of experiencing chest pain that affects your digestive system may be high if:
- You are obese
- You eat late at night or eat large meals
- You experience anxiety or extreme stress
- You drink alcohol excessively
- You smoke
- Your diet consists mostly of fatty or spicy foods
When to seek urgent medical attention from a heart doctor in Singapore
Distinguishing symptoms on your own is difficult, especially when the sensations that you experience overlap between the characteristics of heart-related and digestive-related chest pain. Hence, it is crucial that you seek urgent medical attention from a heart doctor in Singapore as these symptoms can cost your life if they result in a heart attack.
Get immediate medical help if you feel:
- Cold sweats, nausea, or laboured breathing
- Extreme dizziness
- Pain in the chest that is severe and sudden
- Pain that radiates to your arm, jaw, or neck
Even if you are unsure if the symptoms are related to your heart, it is critical that you do not ignore your symptoms. Chest pains must never be diagnosed on your own–leave this to the medical experts as they can run the right tests and make proper evaluations to diagnose your condition. Remember, when it comes to matters of the heart, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
