The holiday season brings opportunities for festive meals, but it also raises concerns about chest pain that could be heartburn or a heart condition. Dr. Maya Balakrishnan, an associate professor of gastroenterology at Baylor College of Medicine, discusses how to differentiate between the two and offers prevention tips.
Heartburn is a digestive issue that occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest or a metallic taste in the mouth. "It’s typically related to what people are eating or caused when people lie down quickly after eating or because of a floppy lower sphincter," said Balakrishnan.
Common triggers during holidays include large meals and certain foods. To prevent heartburn, Dr. Balakrishnan suggests avoiding trigger foods, eating smaller meals, walking after eating, and staying upright for three to four hours post-meal. Treatments include over-the-counter antacids like Tums and prescriptions such as proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers like famotidine.
Heart conditions can present more serious symptoms such as angina—pain from insufficient oxygen to the heart—or even heart attacks. These can occur anytime and may involve shortness of breath or dizziness. "We medically call this type of pain angina, which involves problems with the heart, like blood supply," she explained. Such conditions are life-threatening and linked to cardiovascular health.
As individuals age, they face increased risks for both heartburn and heart conditions due to weakening esophageal muscles and higher chances of cardiovascular disease from factors like high blood pressure and diabetes.
Dr. Balakrishnan emphasizes consulting with doctors about risks for cardiovascular disease and seeking medical advice if persistent chest pain occurs, especially with risk factors such as diabetes or smoking.
