According to Dr. Rahul Chhabria, Deputy Director - Emergency Cardiology Department, Jaslok Hospital and Research Center, Mumbai (India), chest pain is a symptom that can appear in many different health conditions. Heart attack and bloating are two common causes of breast pain. However, distinguishing between these two conditions is extremely important to avoid misdygnosis and ensure proper treatment.
Causes of chest pain
Bloating: Bloating pain often occurs when gas accumulates in the digestive tract, possibly due to swallowing the right air during eating or due to digestive problems. Bloating can be caused by eating certain foods or changes in diet. When gas accumulates in the stomach, it can put pressure on the diaphragm, leading to a feeling of breast pain.
Heart attack: A heart attack occurs when blood flow is blocked, reducing the oxygen supply to the heart muscle. This causes a feeling of chest pain, often described as a feeling of tightness or compression, and is a sign of a serious, life-threatening condition.
How to distinguish between heart attack and bloating
Heart attack
Heart attack often occurs on the left side of the chest and can spread to the left arm, neck, jaw or back.
People with heart attacks often describe pain as an unprecedented feeling, and it is often accompanied by symptoms such as unknown cold sweats.
Common symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and dizziness.
Often feel this pain lasts and does not easily subside.
Bloating
Bloating pain often does not spread like a heart attack and usually only stops in the chest area.
Bloating can appear after eating or when you bend down, or when you lie down.
Often feel a burning sensation in the chest and may feel a sour taste in the mouth if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Bloating pain can subside when you take antacids or when the bloating is released.
Signs to be vigilant
When to seek immediate medical attention
Prolonged chest pain, especially chest pain that spreads to the left arm, neck, or back.
Cold sweats of unknown cause.
Unbearable shortness of breath or chest tightness.
Nausea, indigestion or severe abdominal pain accompanied by breast pain.
If you feel tired, dizzy or suddenly dizzy.
