How do you tell heartburn from a heart attack?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Heartburn burns after eating or lying down, brings up food or bitter fluid, and eases with antacids. Heart attack is crushing or squeezing central chest pain that may spread to arm, neck, jaw, or back, with sweating, sickness, or breathlessness - not tied to meals or position. The company matters most: chest discomfort plus sweating, breathlessness, or spread is the heart cluster. Women, older people, and diabetics often get quieter versions - breathlessness, nausea, exhaustion. The rule: any doubt means call emergency services; chew an aspirin while waiting if not allergic. An antacid fixing it in minutes is reassuring, not proof. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text - but chest pain with doubt means call emergency services first.
What to do
- Check the triggers: food, lying down, bending = heartburn pattern; exertion or rest pain = heart pattern.
- Scan for the cluster: sweating, breathlessness, spread to arm, neck, or jaw.
- Any doubt: call emergency services: minutes matter for heart muscle.
- Chew an aspirin if told or while waiting: unless allergic.
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