Is it Gas or a Heart Attack: Here is the one KEY difference many don't know about

When it comes to chest pain, our mind automatically deviates towards heart attack, and this further intensifies our anxiety. However, while it is always a good idea to be sure, it must also be learned that chest pain is not just caused by heart trouble. Anything from a muscle pull, to lifting a heavy object, or even gas can cause chest pain that can mimic a heart attack, out of which gas remains the most likely non-cardiac cause. Let's learn more...

The one difference between heart/gas pain
The occurrence of chest pain sends people into immediate panic. It’s normal to be unsure. Heart attack symptoms occur alongside gastrointestinal problems in the same spot, yet generate equivalent levels of fear in patients.



Chest Pain: Not All Are Alike
A heart attack requires immediate attention, because heart attack symptoms can be life-threatening, but there are non-serious chest pains as well. Let's see the differences between the two...
Gas Pain: A Digestive Disturbance
The occurrence of this pain stems from air that gets trapped inside the stomach and intestines. This condition develops when people rush their meals, or consume spicy or fried food and carbonated beverages leading to stomach discomfort. The symptoms present as sharp, or cramp-like or burning in nature. The discomfort may occur anywhere between the upper stomach region, and the chest area. The symptoms include bloating together with burping, while experiencing fullness inside the body.

Heart Attack: A Medical EmergencyThe heart receives blocked blood flow because of a blood clot that causes this condition. A heart attack generates chest pressure, which manifests as heaviness or tightness that feels like squeezing. The discomfort can migrate from the left arm through the jaw into the neck region, back section and shoulder area. The condition causes patients to experience sweating along with shortness of breath, and dizziness and nausea. The discomfort persists relentlessly without rest, or positional changes providing relief.

The One Difference: Relief with Movement or Gas Release
Most people fail to recognize the critical detail which follows. Gas pain frequently resolves itself after a person passes gas or burps, or changes their body position. The symptoms of a heart attack remain steady or rather become worse after attempting movement, or gas release.

Here is more on that
With gas: Your condition improves after passing gas or belching, or changing your body position to an upright position.
A heart attack patient fails to experience relief from pain during movement or position changes.

During stressful moments, this basic distinction helps you make decisions. A heart attack symptom should be taken seriously when the pain continues.

Other Key Clues: How to Tell the Two Apart
The pain associated with gas usually starts above the abdomen and may radiate into the chest while feeling sharpness or cramps or burning sensations. The discomfort exists for short periods of time between minutes to hours, until you release gas or burp, or adjust your position. You may also experience bloating, burping, and a feeling of fullness. The onset of gas pain happens most frequently after consuming heavy meals, and drinking carbonated beverages.

Heart attack pain primarily affects the center of the chest and left side before it moves toward the arm, jaw, neck, back and shoulders. The pain description matches pressure or tightness or squeezing sensations, which do not disappear after more than 10 minutes. The pain in this condition fails to respond to changes in movement or body position, or attempts to burp or pass gas. The symptoms of heart attack include cold sweats along with nausea and breathlessness, and dizziness. The risk of heart attack increases when people are physically active, or if they have hypertension among other risk factors.

Heart Attack Symptoms: When to Call for Help
The warning signs of heart attack differ between people since some individuals do not experience intense chest pain. Common signs include:

Pain or pressure that spreads to your arm, jaw, neck, or back

Shortness of breath, sweating, or dizziness

Nausea or vomiting

Anxious feelings, even if pain is mild

Contact emergency services right away if you experience any of these symptoms which do not resolve quickly.


What Makes Gas Pain Feel Like Heart Attack
The nerve endings between your gut and heart send signals to the same area, which makes gas pain feel similar to heart attack pain. The diaphragm experiences pressure from trapped gas located high in the stomach or intestines when gas accumulates on the left side, which produces chest pain as a result.

Sources
Mayo Clinic
Bon Secours
Mass General Brigham
Medanta
American Heart Association

Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not a substitute for medical advice