femaleIf you have indigestion (also called dyspepsia or colic), you are expected to feel pain. well, ship. But what if you also feel pain in other parts of your body, such as your ribcage or chest? Can indigestion cause chest pain?
It turns out that chest pain due to abdominal pain is more common than you might think. “This can definitely cause chest pain,” says Neena Mohan, MD, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of clinical medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia.
This type of pain is usually harmless and goes away once the stomach settles, but it can also resemble the signs of a heart attack, making it sometimes difficult to tell the difference between the two. This is why it can be important to know the signs of a heart attack and when to seek help.
Learn more about the connection between indigestion and chest discomfort and when you should see a doctor for persistent pain here.
Can indigestion cause chest pain?
According to Dr. Mohan, indigestion can definitely cause chest pain. You may also experience indigestion along with other gastrointestinal problems, such as heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic reflux that occurs more than twice a week. Both can cause a burning and uncomfortable feeling in the chest.
“GERD can cause chest pain that feels like burning or squeezing,” says Dr. Mohan. Especially if it's “severe enough to cause esophagitis, or inflammation of the lining of the esophagus,” she adds.
According to the Mayo Clinic, indigestion is typically accompanied by other symptoms, including:
- Early satiety, as if you can't continue eating after only a few bites.
- Feeling uncomfortably full
- Discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen between the bottom of the breastbone and the belly button
- pressure under the ribcage
- Epigastric bloating
- Nausea (also a common acid reflux symptom)
Other causes of non-cardiac chest pain
According to the American College of Gastroenterology, heartburn is one of the leading causes of non-cardiac chest pain, or chest pain caused by causes not related to the heart.
Other gastrointestinal problems can also cause noncardiac chest pain. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, these may include:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- GI infection or stomach bug
- Gastroparesis (digestive disorder in which the stomach is unable to pass food through the intestines)
- peptic ulcer
- Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)
- Stomach cancer (rare)
Almost anyone can experience non-cardiac chest pain due to gastrointestinal problems. However, you are more likely to develop it if you are overweight or obese, smoke, or frequently take NSAID painkillers, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Anxiety and stress can also play a role in causing chest pain due to indigestion. “Anxiety has been shown to increase GERD-related symptoms and contribute to chest pain,” says Dr. Mohan. In particular, panic attacks and depression are the most common mental disorders associated with chest pain.
“Anxiety has been shown to increase GERD-related symptoms and contribute to chest pain.” —Neena Mohan, MD, gastroenterologist
How to Recognize Cardiac Chest Pain
It is not always easy to tell the difference between chest pain caused by indigestion and chest pain caused by heart problems, such as a heart attack. So if you're unsure or have concerns, be safe and call your doctor (or call 911 if it's serious), says Dr. Mohan.
Chest pain from a heart attack (feeling like an elephant is sitting on your chest) often radiates to the arms, shoulders, or jaw and may occur along with heartburn, nausea, or vomiting, according to the Mayo Clinic. You may feel dizzy, short of breath, sweaty, anxious, or feel like your heart is racing.
On the other hand, chest pain due to heartburn or indigestion is more likely to occur immediately afterward. mealThis is especially true if you are lying down. Dr. Mohan says: This is different from heart attack chest pain, which can occur at any time and in any position. Heartburn can also cause a sour taste in the mouth (from regurgitated food), according to the American Heart Association.
Another important difference is: “If your chest discomfort repeatedly improves with antacid use, it may be due to GERD,” says Dr. Mohan. But again, if you're not sure what problem you're experiencing or if your pain is getting worse, you should seek emergency medical care just to be safe.
How to treat chest pain due to indigestion
Managing chest pain caused by indigestion or heartburn mostly comes down to lifestyle changes. Dr. Mohan recommends:
- Avoid or limit foods and drinks that trigger your symptoms. Common causes include fatty or fried foods, spicy foods, tomatoes, citrus fruits, alcohol, and caffeine.
- Avoid eating within 2 to 3 hours after lying down. Lying down can make it easier for reflux to flow back up into the esophagus, causing chest pain.
- Manage your weight, if needed (your doctor can tell you if you are in a healthy range based on factors such as your age and body size)
- If you smoke, quit smoking.
If lifestyle changes alone don't help, try taking over-the-counter (OTC) antacids. This is especially true if you have severe heartburn symptoms and need relief as quickly as possible. For more serious cases, your doctor may give you prescription-level antacids.
It's best to start with an OTC option like TUMS or Rolaids, which neutralize stomach acid and often help you feel better within minutes. If that doesn't work, stomach acid blockers, such as H2 blockers (Pepcid AC, Tagamet, or Zantac) or proton pump inhibitors (Prilosec, Nexium, or Prevacid), will likely get the job done, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
When to see a doctor about chest pain
If you have new, unusual, or severe chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes, it is best to seek emergency medical care. Because it can be difficult to tell the difference between indigestive chest pain and heart-related chest pain (especially if you've never experienced it before), it's important to rule out life-threatening causes, such as a heart attack.
Dr. Mohan says you should also tell your doctor if dyspeptic chest pain occurs along with other serious gastrointestinal symptoms, such as:
- Vomiting (especially if you vomit blood)
- There is blood in the stool
- Having difficulty swallowing
- unintentional weight loss
This is not a sign of a heart attack, but may indicate an underlying GI disorder (inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD) that requires treatment.
Of course, if indigestion is interfering with your daily life, telling your doctor will help him or her provide tips and solutions to improve your symptoms.
frequently asked questions
How long can chest dyspepsia last?
Indigestion symptoms may last only a few minutes. However, relief should occur within 3 to 5 hours after maximum consumption. That's because it's the time it takes your stomach to eliminate food from your last meal, the Cleveland Clinic says. If your indigestion lasts longer than that and occurs continuously, tell your doctor. They may provide advice, prescribe medication or check for underlying health conditions.
Can abdominal pain be a sign of a heart attack?
According to the Mayo Clinic, certain gastrointestinal symptoms may be warning signs of a heart attack. This may include abdominal pain, nausea, and heartburn. However, if you have a heart attack, you may experience other symptoms along with abdominal pain. If you think you are having a heart attack, call 911 and go to the nearest emergency room as quickly as possible.
How can I relieve GERD chest pain quickly?
One of the best ways to quickly relieve GERD chest pain is to take an antacid such as TUMS or Alka Seltzer. You may also want to drink a sip of water and wear loose-fitting clothing to ease any discomfort. Another option is to stand and move around to prevent stomach acid from moving into the esophagus and do stomach massage for heartburn. And if you're lying in bed at night, find your ideal sleeping position for heartburn. You can elevate your head with a few pillows or lie on your left side, according to the Cleveland Clinic.