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How Many People Suffer From Heartburn?

Even though that smoldering feeling in the lower chest is a warning sign that you have heartburn, it really does not affect the heart at all. However, depending on the severity of the heartburn, you may believe the heart in under assault. Heartburn can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, and the pain can leave a bitter taste in your mouth.

  1. Who Suffers From Heartburn?

    • Close to 40 percent of Americans suffer from heartburn at least once a month, and nearly 50 percent of pregnant women suffer from heartburn in the third trimester, according to The American College of Gastroenterology. Heartburn is not always the result of bad eating; at times the cause is physical. For example, if the muscular valve in the esophagus relaxes, stomach acid can escape into the upper portion of the esophagus and create heartburn symptoms.

    Symptoms

    • A burning sensation in the chest that intensifies if you lie down is a warning sign of heartburn. Coughing and sudden hoarseness are also symptoms of heartburn. If you have persistent heartburn, i.e. two or more times a week, see your health care provider. Frequent heartburn could be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is more commonly referred to as GERD.

    GERD

    • The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach and it is responsible for pushing consumed food into the stomach. After food reaches the stomach, it is prevented from traveling back into the esophagus by another muscle called the "lower esophageal sphincter." After the food reaches the stomach, it begins to digest after mixing with stomach acid. Every so often, this process is compromised which results in occasional heartburn. However, when stomach acid constantly refluxes back into the esophagus triggering heartburn, you have GERD.

    Warning

    • If GERD is left untreated, eventually, the stomach acid will damage the esophagus. The stomach is lined so it cannot be harmed, but the esophagus is not provided that same protection.

    Heartburn or Heart Attack?

    • The symptoms for heartburn and GERD include chest pains. The major warning sign for a heart attack is chest pain as well. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, there are a few ways you can decipher between the two. If you have heartburn, the burning sensation will begin right after eating a meal, when you bend over or when you lie down. The pain will usually start at the upper abdomen and travel to the back, and the pain may be coupled with a sour taste in the mouth. When the chest pain is the precursor to a heart attack, you will experience sudden tightening and crushing pain in the center of the chest. The pain will likely spread out to the left arm, back, jaw and shoulder. However, if in doubt, seek medical attention immediately.

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