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Chest discomfort can be a confusing signal and should never be taken lightly
Many people, especially women, mistake the early signs of a heart attack for simple bloating or acidity.
Many people usually take chest discomfort or upper abdominal pain as mere bloating or indigestion. A dull heaviness after a heavy meal or during stressful moments is mostly considered to occur due to gas, but it might be due to some cardiovascular issues. Many people, especially women, mistake the early signs of a heart attack for simple bloating or acidity. This confusion usually delays the treatment, and thus, understanding the subtle differences between the two can literally save your life.
Dr. Vikas Thakran, Consultant, Cardiology, Manipal Hospitals Dwarka, New Delhi shares all you need to know:
What are some common symptoms?
Bloating or gastric discomfort is usually linked to digestive issues that are caused by overeating, swallowing air, or just eating gas-producing foods like beans and fried dishes. This pain or pressure is often limited to the upper abdomen and may come with a feeling of fullness, gurgling, or the need to burp. This kind of pain tends to ease after passing gas, burping, or taking an antacid.
A heart attack, however, is not about digestion at all as it happens when blood flow to a part of the heart gets blocked and the heart muscle starves for oxygen supply. It can feel like a heavy weight or squeezing in the chest and may spread to the arms, neck, jaw, or even back.
Unlike bloating, the pain doesn’t diminish with rest and may be accompanied by sweating, breathlessness, nausea, or an unexplained sense of anxiety. People often experience more subtle symptoms such as fatigue, mild indigestion, or discomfort in the upper back, making it common to misread the warning signs.
How to Spot the Difference?
Some common factors that can differentiate the two when confusion strikes are:
• Location of Pain: Pain due to bloating usually stays in the upper abdomen or below the ribs, whereas heart pain begins in the centre or left side of the chest and can spread to the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back.
• Nature and Duration: Gas pain feels like pressure or fullness in the stomach that eases after some time, but heart attack pain feels very heavy and crushing, which lasts longer or worsens with activity.
• Varied Symptoms: Bloating could come with burping or gas. On the other hand, heart attacks often bring cold sweats, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, or a sudden drop in energy levels.
• Reaction to Antacids: If the uneasiness continues even after taking antacids or burping, it is an indication that it is something more serious beyond bloating.
• Timing and Triggers: Bloating is generally after eating or due to certain foods, but heart pain is caused by exertion, emotional stress, or even at rest.
Chest discomfort can be a confusing signal and should never be taken lightly. For bloating, lifestyle adjustments like eating proper and smaller meals and avoiding carbonated beverages can help. However, for a heart attack, urgent medical attention is needed. Surgeries like
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery and angioplasty are necessary to treat severe heart conditions. If something feels ‘off’, don’t wait and go for an immediate check-up.
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More
October 18, 2025, 17:43 IST
