"Indigestion or heart attack?" is a question that countless people ask themselves every single day in America. The confusing symptoms can be worrisome -- even to medical professionals.
"Indigestion or heart attack?" Let's consider some of the shared symptoms and how they often, but not always, might differ.
With cardiac, or heart, pain one usually suffers a crushing, pressurized heaviness that is felt behind the breastbone, or sternum. This pain may also begin in the upper abdomen or "pit of the stomach" location.
On the other hand, indigestion pain is usually burning, heartburn or reflux-type pains originating in the upper abdomen and possibly ascending into the esophagus, which is located under the breastbone.
Typical cardiac pain may radiate or spread toward either of the shoulders (most commonly toward the left shoulder and arm), into the neck and jaws, and even toward the back, between the shoulder blades.
Similarly, indigestion can radiate into the chest and the back areas as well. Spasm of the esophagus and stomach can also produce crushing, pressurized pains in these areas, thus further mimicking the discomfort of having a heart attack.
"Indigestion or heart attack" symptoms are also similar in that each condition can certainly be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The various conditions that account for indigestion can certainly lead to the irritation of the stomach and esophagus to produce nausea and vomiting.
"Indigestion or heart attack" can sometimes be differentiated by the presence or absence of shortness of breath. This is not a usual symptom when someone suffers an attack of indigestion, but the symptom is very often present whenever one experiences cardiac attack and pain.
The presence of mild degrees of fever with such an attack could certainly point to either disease process. Vital infections or acute gallbladder attacks that produce indigestion symptoms can certainly be accompanied by mild elevations of temperature.
Equally, some folks who suffer more extensive heart attack damage can "run" a fever of lower degree just as well.
"Indigestion or heart attack?" If the question as to which condition exists is not clearly answered in a timely fashion, in-depth diagnostic monitoring and testing must be given highest priority until a satisfactory diagnosis is made.
Do not hesitate to seek immediate medical attention if faced with this question.
