Your doctor diagnosed you with GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). Believe it or not, it CAN cause pain that rivals a heart attack. The unfortunate thing is, YOU can never take for granted that your chest pain is solely related to gastric reflux. You ll become one of the hundreds of thousands whose chest pain causes them to visit their local ED (emergency departments). Most are not having heart attacks but digestional related pain. The reason that GERD is so much more painful than heartburn is because heartburn is something that happens on occasion, while GERD happens so often it often leaves the esophagus inflamed. Some cases of GERD become so sever the tissue of the esophagus becomes eroded from the constant acid backing up into it. The lose of the protective lining is the reason it hurts so much more than occasional heartburn. Other than avoiding food that exacerbate the problem, talk to your doctor about perscribing you what is commonly refered to as a GI cocktail (a mixture of antacid and lidocaine). The lidocaine numbs the nerve endings in the esophagus while the antacid coats (and hopefully soothes). Never ever feel ashamed or embarassed if the pain makes you go the an ED. People with GERD can have heart attacks. Chest pain should never be ignored!