Heartburn is a painful symptom of indigestion characterized by chest pain, which is often caused by acid regurgitation into the esophagus. Heartburn is a common symptom of GERD, a chronic condition that needs to be treated right away. To tell the difference between heartburn or GERD, it is important to look out for certain signs and symptoms, including: • Heartburn That Will Not Go Away — Because heartburn is a symptom on its own, it can be easy to dismiss as such and ignore its connection to GERD. • Bitter Taste — GERD can pump food and bile from the stomach up the throat, causing a bitter taste. It is often accompanied by a burning sensation in the esophagus, which may increase saliva production in the mouth. • Trouble Swallowing — Also known as dysphagia, trouble swallowing is commonly associated with GERD and could lead to unhealthy weight loss if it causes problems eating. • Heart Attack Feeling — People who experience GERD often attribute the symptoms to a heart attack, as the chest pain and burning sensation can be hard to differentiate between the two conditions. GERD symptoms are commonly mistaken for cardiac symptoms; the reverse is also true: sometimes cardiac pain can be mistaken for GERD. • Coughing — Because coughing is a common symptom of many diseases and conditions, it can be difficult to connect it to GERD. Chronic coughing, especially when not caused by a viral or bacterial infection, is a prevalent GERD symptom because the stomach acid eats away at the esophageal lining, causing irritation.