In India, where heart disease has become the leading cause of death and spicy diets are common, distinguishing between a heart attack and heartburn is crucial. These are fundamentally different conditions, each manifesting through distinct symptoms. According to the World Heart Federation, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), account for 60% of total adult deaths in India, with CVDs responsible for 26% of these deaths11.
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked. The World Heart Federation identifies key risk factors: 15% of Indians smoke tobacco, an average consumption of 4.3 litres of pure alcohol per person, and 21.1% have hypertension, increasing the risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular conditions.
Heart attack symptoms include severe chest pressure often described as “an elephant sitting on the chest,” pain radiating to the left arm, jaw, or back, accompanied by breathlessness, sweating, and nausea. These symptoms typically don’t improve with home remedies.
Heartburn/Acid Reflux
On the other hand, heartburn occurs when stomach acid flows back into the food pipe. This is especially common in India due to our spice-rich cuisine and habits like consuming paan masala. It presents as a burning sensation behind the breastbone with a sour taste in the mouth, frequently following spicy meals like dishes with garam masala or chilli and usually improves with antacids.
Key Differences
One of the key differentiating factors between a heart attack and heartburn is that in the former, the pain spreads beyond the chest, while in the latter, it remains localised. Heartburn typically follows meals, especially after a heavy meal or oily food, whereas heart attacks can occur anytime, and antacids have no role to play.