Indicators of coronary heart assault that resemble gastric hassle; specialists on learn how to differentiate between the 2
Heart burn or stomach ache may very well be an indication of heart attack and ignoring these signs could result in harmful penalties, as per specialists. It isn’t unusual for signs of gastric hassle and coronary heart assault to overlap. An individual having coronary heart assault could expertise coronary heart burn, chest ache, abdomen ache, nausea however could confuse these signs for gastric points. In the state of confusion, the affected person as an alternative of dashing to the hospital, could take antacid which might even present short-term aid, however delay the actual therapy. This might show to be lethal for the one having coronary heart assault with the abovementioned signs. (Also learn: 8 heart attack signs and symptoms people should not ignore)
It is essential to know that in case of coronary heart assault, the chest ache can really feel like strain, or squeezing within the chest lasting quite a lot of minute and it might come and go. The ache in case of coronary heart assault could unfold to shoulders, again, neck, tooth or jaw. Apart from these points, one can also expertise shortness of breath, panic assault, lightheadedness which can be basic signs of coronary heart assault.
Dr. Mukharjee Madivada, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Managing Director, Pulse Heart Center. Director, Pulse Heart Charitable Trust, Founder – Ex President, IMA Kukatpally just lately shared a case examine on his Twitter deal with the place considered one of his sufferers – a diabetic and a smoker – took antacid for chest burning, whereas he was really having a coronary heart assault. After the burning partially subsided, the affected person thought it was gastritis and delayed going to the hospital until the subsequent day.
“Mr. KR had chest burning two days ago. He has diabetes and he smokes an occasional cigarette. His immediate fear was that he was having a heart attack. But he strongly believed that with his good genes he wouldn’t have a heart attack at 45 years. He wanted to go to the doctor, but before that he wanted to make sure that the pain was not due to gastritis. He drank an antacid syrup and a few minutes later the burning subsided partially. Relieved, he took rest from the office that day. He went to his family doctor the next day evening as he still had mild burning. His doctor took an ECG which showed a heart attack and he referred Mr. KR to me. I did an angiogram, fixed his block and he is stable now. But because he delayed the treatment for his heart attack for a day, his heart would never be the same: it will be weak. Reduction of chest pain partially or completely with antacids, is not a definitive evidence that the pain is due to “fuel”. It could still be heart-related. Most heart attacks mistaken for gastritis start with chest pain that partially responds favourably with antacids. This totally deludes the patient who is already in denial about having a heart disease. This advice is more pertinent for people with strong risk factors for heart attack like diabetes, smoking habit, etc …Mr. KR at least could reach the hospital. Some may not be so fortunate,” wrote Dr Madivada on his Twitter deal with.
How to distinguish between coronary heart assault and gastric points
“Adults with chest pain account for a large number of emergency department (ED) visits. Patients present with a spectrum of signs and symptoms reflecting the many potential etiologies. Diseases of the heart, aorta, lungs, esophagus, stomach, mediastinum, pleura, and abdominal viscera may all cause chest discomfort. Gas pain in the chest is usually described as a sharp or dull discomfort that may be accompanied by burping or flatulence. The pain is typically located in the upper abdomen or upper chest, and may radiate to the back or shoulder. Heart pain, on the other hand, is typically described as a squeezing or pressure sensation that may radiate to the jaw, neck, or arm. It is important to note that heart pain can be felt in the upper abdomen or upper chest, so it’s essential to distinguish between the two by considering other symptoms and risk factors,” says Dr. Vivudh Pratap Singh
Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla Road, New Delhi.
“It’s common to see people misdiagnose a heart attack as gastric trouble and delay reaching hospital. In heart attack, time is very important. Each passing minute, heart muscles get impacted. It’s very important to understand difference between gastric trouble symptoms and heart attack symptoms. Many a time, it’s difficult even for doctors to differentiate. Commonly a gas trouble is suspected when someone has burning in or pain in abdomen epigastrium or naval area. This discomfort gets aggravated by or related to eating unhealthy, spicy or masala food or due to empty stomach. The discomfort may radiate to back. Heart attack also can have Retrosternal burning or pain. It’s more diffused in nature but generally it’s not related with food intake and sometimes it may radiate to left or right arm or jaw area, associated with sweating and gets aggravated by activity and improves with taking rest,” says Dr Bharat Vijay Purohit, Sr. Consultant Interventional Cardiologist & Director of Cath Lab, Yashoda hospitals Hyderabad.
What to do in case of confusion
“Generally heart related discomfort does not happen below the naval area. If in doubt regarding heart or gastric trouble it’s better to do ECG or Troponin, Echocardiogram and last but not least an Angiography to clarify. Most important is trust your doctor and co-operate in investigation to ascertain cause of discomfort. An overdiagnosis and some extra tests are better then underdiagnosis and missing a heart attack and passing it off as gastric trouble,” says Dr Purohit.
“20-40% of individuals go to a GP not less than as soon as of their lifetime with the grievance of chest ache.
While any chest ache ought to increase the suspicion of a coronary heart associated ache referred to as angina about 15% have chest ache due to dyspepsia attributable to gastritis gastric reflux or indigestion. It’s typically a problem for practitioners to distinguish between the 2. In most circumstances if the chest ache will get worse on exertion, if it’s positioned centrally behind the breast bone, if it is squeezing or urgent related to sweating, it signifies a coronary heart associated ache. If it’s related to burping attributable to heavy meal and unrelated to exertion, and is that if burning sort it might point out heartburn attributable to hyper-acidity. Having mentioned that there’s appreciable overlap and sometimes each issues can co-exist. So what’s essential is to have a excessive index of suspicion for ruling out coronary heart assault. Heart associated ache is a severe situation and must be recognised and handled promptly. Often it might be a precursor for a coronary heart assault and if ignored could also be life threatening,” says Dr. V. Rajasekhar, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist, Certified Specialist for TAVR (Percutaneous Trans Aortic Valve Replacement), Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad.