Manish Dhawan Manish Dhawan Asked 5 months ago

Can acid reflux mimic a heart attack?

I get these episodes of severe chest pain and breathlessness, which always make me rush to the hospital thinking it's my heart. But every time, the doctors say it's just severe acid reflux. Why does acid reflux mimic a heart attack so closely?

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7 answers

Abhishek Roy Abhishek Roy Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago
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I can only speak from my own experience, but last year I had such a severe, squeezing pain in my chest that I was convinced it was a heart attack. It turned out to be spasm from severe acid reflux. Please consult a doctor immediately to be absolutely safe.

Deepa Nair Deepa Nair Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Yes, the chest pain can feel identical. However, any chest pain is a red flag, so please go to a hospital and get an ECG done first.

Ramakant Vyas Ramakant Vyas Joined Apr 2026 5 months ago

Sometimes heavy wind and acidity in the chest can feel like a heavy weight, resembling heart trouble. While drinking warm water can ease normal gas, you should never delay going to a doctor if there is sharp pain in the chest. Get it checked first.

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Consult a cardiologist

Sneha Sen Sneha Sen Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Oh, I totally get it, that chest tightness is absolutely terrifying and makes you think the worst. It is really scary, but please head to the nearest doctor to get your heart checked right away so you can have peace of mind.

Rohit Sharma Rohit Sharma Joined Apr 2026 5 months ago

Bro, I literally rushed to the ER at midnight thinking I was dying of a heart attack, but it was just gas and severe GERD. Even though it was just acidity, the doctors told me I did the right thing. Never risk chest pain, just go get an ECG.

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Meera Krishnan Meera Krishnan Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago

Yes, many people in our community have mistaken esophageal spasms for cardiac issues because the nerve pathways are shared. But safety is paramount. Always rule out any cardiac emergencies with a doctor first before assuming it is just reflux.

Tanmay Bhatia Tanmay Bhatia Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

My stomach is so dramatic, it made me write my will last month over what turned out to be just a spicy biryani reflux! Jokes apart, chest pain is serious business, so go get it checked by a doc to make sure your heart is happy.

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