Many of us have experienced heartburn, also known as acid reflux. It's often related to food choices and isn't cause for immediate concern. However, the symptoms of heartburn can also be mistaken for symptoms of a heart attack.

It's estimated that about 60 million Americans get heartburn at least once a month. Up to 15 million Americans have daily symptoms of heartburn, according to the National Institutes of Health.

In the U.S., about 805,000 people have a heart attack each year. That means someone has a heart attack about every 40 seconds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What do heart attacks and heartburn have in common?

Heartburn, or indigestion, and heart attack are not related. The only thing they have in common is that they both cause discomfort in your chest.

A heart attack usually feels like pain or pressure in your chest. Heartburn is more of a burning sensation, which may cause a bad taste in your mouth.

How to tell the difference between indigestion and heart attack

Getting medical care quickly after a heart attack is critical. Heartburn is not an emergency. For this reason, it's important to know the different symptoms to watch for.

Heartburn symptoms

Symptoms of a heartburn, or acid reflux, include:

  • Burning feeling in your chest after eating or at nighttime
  • Pain in your chest that gets worse when you lie down or bend over
  • Bitter or acidic taste in your mouth
  • Feeling that food is somehow stuck in the middle of your chest or throat

Learn more about acid reflux symptoms and treatments to ease heartburn

Heart attack symptoms

Heart attack symptoms are cause for concern. If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, call 911. Don't ignore the symptoms and don't delay. Don't drive yourself to the hospital. Instead, seek immediate medical care from emergency care providers.

Symptoms of a heart attack include:

  • chest pain or discomfort (usually in the center or left side of the chest, lasting more than a few minutes)
  • feeling weak, light-headed, or faint
  • pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back
  • pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders
  • shortness of breath
  • nausea
  • bad sweating

Know the heart attack symptoms and how to keep your heart healthy

Are there different heart attack symptoms for men and women?

Women may experience heart attack symptoms differently than men. About 40% of women who have had a heart attack reported symptoms similar to heartburn just before they had a heart attack. Women sometimes experience nausea and vomiting along with other heart attack symptoms.

Women over age 50 who have these symptoms and have heart attack risk factors, such as diabetes or obesity, go to the emergency department right away.

What foods can trigger heartburn?

Many of the foods and drinks that we enjoy can cause heartburn. This includes coffee, black tea, alcohol and many fatty foods. Foods like garlic, onion, dark chocolate and mint can make heartburn worse.

Get healthy eating tips from our Good Food Is Good Medicine blog

Are there things you can do to lessen the chances of heartburn?

To reduce the chances of heartburn, don't wear tight-fitting clothing. This can add compression to your stomach and push acid into the esophagus, causing discomfort.

You should also avoid eating close to bedtime and resist the urge to overeat. Lying flat in bed can also lead to heartburn. It's best to sleep with a couple of pillows elevating your head. Or you can sleep on your side when you're feeling digestive discomfort.

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This blog was medically reviewed by our interventional cardiologist Jeffrey Southard.