Did you know that the two looked the same from an external point of view? Even the person herself can’t always tell the difference. This is what we learn from our 214 Course about Medicines and Emergencies. If you also look at a related article from the Harvard Medical School, it tells us that heartburns are a symptom of acid reflux. After eating, it’s usually therefore not a heart attack, but one can never be sure. 50% of hospital visits related to heart attacks are in fact heartburns from indigestion.
Symptoms
Here are the symptoms from a heart attack:
- Tightness, pressure, squeezing, stabbing, or dull pain, most often in the center of the chest
- Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, or arms
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
- Cold sweat or clammy skin
- Lightheadedness, weakness, or dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea, indigestion, and sometimes vomiting
- The appearance of symptoms with physical exertion or extreme stress
Here are the symptoms of a heartburn:
- Burning chest pain that begins at the breastbone
- Pain that moves up toward your throat but doesn’t typically radiate to your shoulders, neck, or arms
- Sensation that food is coming back into your mouth
- Bitter or acidic taste at the back of your throat
- Pain that worsens when you lie down or bend over
- The appearance of symptoms after a large or spicy meal
In our 214 AMCC course, we also looked into the role of aspirin to reduce the chances of blood clots. But as we know, aspirin can cause the gut to bleed – so doctors often prescribe PPI (proton-pump inhibitor) for patients who need aspirin on the long-term. This way, the risk of developing a stomach ulcer is reduced.
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