Heartburn usually ignites a burning pain that runs from your stomach to your breastbone, and it's often accompanied by a sour taste in your mouth. Heart attacks, on the other hand, may cause a prolonged heavy feeling or squeezing pain in your chest. Although pressure chest pain is more commonly associated with heart disease spasm of the esophagus may cause the same symptoms. It's best to assume the pain is coming from the heart, get emergency help to rule the heart out as a cause, then focus on the esophagus. Other potential symptoms of a heart attack include dizziness, nausea, sweating, shortness of breath, weakness, overwhelming anxiety, and pain that spreads into the jaw, shoulder, or down the arm.
Timing is also important.
While heartburn usually flares up after a meal, heart attacks and angina are often triggered by exercise, but may come on at any time. If you have ANY doubt about whether you're having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. An occasional bout of heartburn isn't anything to worry about. But frequent bouts of pain may be a sign that your esophagus is in danger. Over time, acid can eat away at the lining of the esophagus, causing painful sores and even bleeding and scarring.