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Is A Severe Heartburn And Nausea Indicative Of Mild Heart Attack?
Question: I am a 43 year old male (44 next month) and 31 year diabetic. Last night after working a 12 hour shift I went to see a movie. While in the movie theater, I developed the worst case of heartburn ever and knew I was about to throw up. I stood up to go to the bathroom which took longer than normal feeling nausea. I puked and returned to my seat to watch the final 30 minutes of the movie. I came home, took two tylenol, and within an hour all symptoms disappeared. Any chance this was a mild heart attack?
Brief Answer:
likely severe reflux
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is not likely a heart attack. Symptoms typical of severe reflux- causes burning discomfort and nausea/vomiting
A heart attack is due to blockage in one of the blood vessels that provide blood to the heart. Since there is a reduced blood supply to that specific area, that part of the heart may undergo changes and would be unable to work as before.
Though the symptoms can vary slightly, in general a heart attack would be associated with: (1)severe chest pain, normally central, tight or heavy feeling in the center of the chest (feels as though chest crushed),
Pain can radiate to the left side of the chest and arm
The pain is not usually reported as burning in nature. This is typical of severe reflux
(2)palpitations-abnormal heart beat would occur
(3)shortness of breath
(4)excess sweating (diaphoresis)
(5)dizziness, loss of consciousness
(6)nausea can occur as well , normally related to severity of chest pain
In the absence of tight/heavy chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, diaphoresis, it is unlikely that the pain is related to your heart.
If you remain concerned, your doctor can do an ECG. An ECG would show if there are any areas of the heart with reduced blood supply. The reduced blood supply causes changes in the ' current' that passes through the heart and this would show up
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
likely severe reflux
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is not likely a heart attack. Symptoms typical of severe reflux- causes burning discomfort and nausea/vomiting
A heart attack is due to blockage in one of the blood vessels that provide blood to the heart. Since there is a reduced blood supply to that specific area, that part of the heart may undergo changes and would be unable to work as before.
Though the symptoms can vary slightly, in general a heart attack would be associated with: (1)severe chest pain, normally central, tight or heavy feeling in the center of the chest (feels as though chest crushed),
Pain can radiate to the left side of the chest and arm
The pain is not usually reported as burning in nature. This is typical of severe reflux
(2)palpitations-abnormal heart beat would occur
(3)shortness of breath
(4)excess sweating (diaphoresis)
(5)dizziness, loss of consciousness
(6)nausea can occur as well , normally related to severity of chest pain
In the absence of tight/heavy chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, diaphoresis, it is unlikely that the pain is related to your heart.
If you remain concerned, your doctor can do an ECG. An ECG would show if there are any areas of the heart with reduced blood supply. The reduced blood supply causes changes in the ' current' that passes through the heart and this would show up
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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