That meatball sandwich and a couple of cups of coffee may have hit the spot for lunch, but you're paying for it now with a major case of heartburn. On the other hand, the pain didn't begin until you ran up two flights of stairs because you were late for an important appointment. Or maybe it's combination of both.
Heart disease can cause angina pectoris, a chest pain that can follow physical activity.
Angina occurs when the demand for blood by the heart exceeds the ability of the coronary arteries to supply it. Usually, angina will occur after physical exertion, but sometimes it occurs when the person is at rest. This is called unstable angina and it is a very serious condition. Besides heartburn, angina can mimic the pain caused by hiatal hernias, gall bladder disease, aortic disease, or muscle strains in the chest and rib cage. Some people may describe the discomfort of angina as a pressing, squeezing or burning sensation.