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The main feature of GERD is chest pain. This pain is easy to recognise if it is just heartburn. GERD, however, can produce a deep pain that radiates into the back or side. This pain is not easy to differentiate from pain of cardiac origin.

In heart pain (angina pectoris), the pain is a tightness across the chest and feels like a weight or a heavy pressure inside the chest. It can feel like the chest is being squeezed or crushed. You may notice a degree of breathlessness.

GERD pain, however, is sharp like a knife cutting through. It can come in waves like colic and shoots across the chest and worsen when the chest is pressed or you move position. This is not the case in angina. Unlike angina the chest pain from GERD can be persistent.

The heart is on the left side of the chest and angina pain often radiates into the jaw and left arm. The pain is usually in the central chest or to the left. It is rarely on the right hand side of the chest. Esophageal pain is almost always central.

Heart pain tends to develop following exercise and  goes away following rest. On the odd occasions, however, certain exercises can increase intra-abdominal pressure and trigger chest pain due to acid reflux but this is not common. Acid reflux pain is relieved by antacids. Heart pain is not.

If your pain goes away while still exercising it is not likely to be angina. If rest is the only way you get relief, then angina is likely.

If you suspect your chest pain is due to your heart, seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Dr. Phil Hariram.