July 9, 2008

Heartburn Angina Symptoms: A Few Similarities, But Otherwise Many Differences


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It is often the case that people are unable to distinguish between heartburn and angina symptoms, especially when suffering from an attack of angina. Chest pain, as well as discomfort, are symptoms that are similar...


It is often the case that people are unable to distinguish between heartburn and angina symptoms, especially when suffering from an attack of angina. Chest pain, as well as discomfort, are symptoms that are similar in both heartburn as well as angina and it is important to be able to distinguish one from the other to get the proper treatment at an early stage. Chest pain often induces fear in people and rightly so; for it may show that a serious problem, which may even be life threatening, is happening to the patient.

Chest pains and discomforts can also be heartburn or angina symptoms and they require understanding as well as comparing to get to the bottom of the problem. No doubt, heartburn and angina are symptomatic of chest pains and discomfort but there are other causes as well, including stomach ulcers, panic attacks, muscle problems, pneumonia, heart attacks as well as inflammation around the heart that can cause chest pains.

Heartburn symptoms, besides the usual pain and discomfort in the chest, can also be seen in a sensation of food or liquid regurgitating into the throat as well as having a bitter or acidic taste in the mouth. Angina symptoms on the other hand, are usually reflected in pain as well as discomfort that are often described as pressure, burning, squeezing or tightness in the chest, which begins in the chest behind the breastbone and may also occur in the arms, neck, shoulder, throat and jaws or in the back.

Some Differences Between The Two Conditions

The primary difference between heartburn and angina symptoms is that, with angina, a person may feel nauseous, fatigued, have shortness of breath, sweat profusely, become lightheaded, and may just generally feel weak. Such symptoms are not felt in the case of heartburn, and to get proper treatment knowing these different heartburn angina symptoms is important as, by recognizing the different patterns as well as triggers of heartburn and angina symptoms, one will be able to differentiate one condition from the other and not get them mixed with each other.

Normally, heartburn and angina symptoms occur under different circumstances with angina symptoms emanating from physical exertion, emotions, exposure to extreme temperature ranges from very hot to very cold, heavy meals as well as from smoking.

On the other hand, heartburn symptoms come about after eating, and certain foods or activities can also trigger the onset of heartburn. Some common causes of heartburn symptoms include lying down after large meals, bending over, being overweight and obesity, tobacco products, chocolates, and other foods and drinks containing caffeine as well as alcoholic beverages.

There is certainly an excuse to confuse one with heartburn and angina symptoms as both cause pain in the middle of the chest. Angina will also cause nausea and sweating, symptoms that are not found in heartburn, and the patterns and triggers of the two conditions are also different. It is thus best to consult a doctor regarding the exact causes of heartburn angina symptoms and get treatment prescribed accordingly.

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