Can a Hiatal Hernia Feel Like a Heart Attack?: A heart attack happens when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the heart, which causes heart muscle death. A hiatal hernia is a GI tract problem that occurs through the opening of the diaphragm where the esophagus meets the stomach. When the muscles surrounding the diaphragm become weak or damaged, the upper portion of the stomach protrudes through the opening of the diaphragm. Both a heart attack and hiatal hernia can cause the same symptoms of chest pain that radiates down the arm, back, and neck, they are not the same. Heart attack is a medical emergency while a hiatal hernia usually is not. Heart attack symptoms that do not occur with a hiatal hernia include shortness of breath with chest pain that feels tight, full, achy, or pressured, heart palpitations, and jaw ache. Heart attacks in women also cause symptoms of extreme weakness and fatigue. Hiatal hernia symptoms that are different from heart attack are severe heartburn, belching, indigestion, coughing, problems swallowing, hiccups, and upper abdominal pain. Both heart attack and hiatal hernia may be preventable diseases. Heart attack is a medical emergency. Call 911 of you think you or someone you are with is having a heart attack; even if you think it may be heartburn or indigestion.
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Acid Reflux Disease (GERD)
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Blood Clots
Blood is supposed to clot to help repair a blood vessel that is injured. Clots or thrombi become a problem when they form inappropriately. There are a variety of illnesses and risk factors that can lead to blood clot formation such as atrial fibrillation, heart attack, strokes, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and more. Diagnosis and treatment of blood clots depends on the cause and severity of the clot. -
Chest Pain Overview
Chest pain has a variety of noncardiac and cardiac causes, some of which can be very serious. Signs and symptoms of chest pain may include burning, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest. Atherosclerosis, angina, lung tumors, chest trauma, abdominal pain, and gastric reflux are just a few potential causes of chest pain. Chest pain is diagnosed by taking the patient history and performing a physical exam. Blood work, imaging tests, and an exercise stress test may be ordered. The treatment and prognosis of chest pain depends on the underlying cause. -
Chest Pain on a Plane Heart Attack
A harrowing airplane journey across the Atlantic demonstrates what doctors do in the event of a heart attack in mid-flight. -
Coughs
A cough is a symptom of an underlying disease or condition. A chronic or persistent cough may signal certain lung conditions that should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Common causes of coughs include infection, allergies, lung disease, medications, and GERD (reflux). Acute coughs are categorized as infectious or non-infectious. Chronic cough (persistent cough) have a variety of causes and should be evaluated by physician. Treatment of cough, acute cough, chronic or persistent cough depends on the cause of the cough. -
CT Scan
What is a CT scan? Computerized tomography scans (CT scans) are important diagnostic tools for a variety of medical conditions. Some areas of the body frequently evaluated by CT scans include the brain, neck, spine, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and sinuses. The CT scan process uses X-rays and a computer to produce cross-sectional images of the body. -
CT Scan vs Endoscopy
CT scans utilize X-rays to form images of organs and tissues inside the body (for example, abdominal organs, brain, chest, lungs, heart) while endoscopy is a procedure that can visualize only the inside surface of the upper gastrointestinal tract. -
Blood Clot in the Legs
DVT or deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in the leg. Symptoms include redness, swelling, pain, and warmth around the area of the clot. Learn about causes, diagnosis, and treatment. -
Heart Attack
A heart attack is an interruption in blood flow to the heart muscle. Arterial plaque rupture is often the cause of a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack may include chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea. Emergency heart catheterization and thrombolytic therapy may be used to treat a heart attack. -
Heart Attack Symptoms and Signs
The heart is a muscle like any other in the body. Arteries supply it with oxygen-rich blood so that it can contract and push blood to the rest of the body. When there isn't enough oxygen flow to a muscle, its function begins to suffer. Block the oxygen supply completely, and the muscle starts to die. -
Heartburn
Heartburn is a common problem for most people. In general, it is intermittent. Symptoms of a heartburn include a burning feeling in the chest, discomfort in the throat, difficulty swallowing, chronic cough, and discomfort when lying down. An excessive flow of gastric contents going into the esophagus causes heartburn. Prescription and OTC heartburn medicine, home remedies, and treatments can relieve and get rid of heartburn with lifestyle changes. Heartburn during pregnancy is especially troublesome for women during the second and third trimesters. -
Hernia
A hernia results when the contents of a body cavity bulge out of their normal area. There are many types of hernia, including inguinal, femoral, umbilical, incisional, Spigelian, obturator, and epigastric hernias. Hernias may be caused by coughing, obesity, heavy lifting, straining, fluid in the abdominal cavity, or chronic lung disease. Symptoms and signs include a lump or bulge, pain, and possible fever. Hernias are generally surgically repaired. -
Hiatal Hernia
Obesity, coughing, constipation, smoking, poor posture, and heavy lifting can cause a hiatal hernia. Learn about symptoms, treatment, and surgery. -
Hiccups
Hiccups are sudden, involuntary contractions of the diaphragm muscle. Hiccups can be caused by a variety of things such as eating or drinking too fast, diseases or conditions, medications, noxious fumes, or anxiety and stress. Medical care is rarely needed to resolve hiccups. There are a variety of home remedies that people recommend to resolve hiccups. -
How Serious Is a Hernia
A hernia, or a tear in muscle or connective tissue wall, nearly always needs surgical repair. How serious it is depends on the location of the hernia and which organs are nearby. -
Indigestion
Indigestion (dyspepsia, non-acid dyspepsia) is a description for a feeling of fullness and/or discomfort in the upper abdomen. Symptoms of indigestion can include heartburn, belching, bloating, and nausea. Causes of indigestion can be disease, conditions, medication, and lifestyle factors. Treatment of indigestion depends on the cause. -
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a scanner that takes cross-sectional images of the body. It is used to evaluate tissues of the head, neck, chest, limbs, abdomen, and pelvis. MRI is a very safe procedure; sedation may be used for infants, small children, or adults who are claustrophobic. -
Marfan Syndrome
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an inherited (genetic) disorder of the connective tissue of certain areas of the body, for example, the arms and legs. The protein that plays a role in Marfan syndrome is called fibrillin-1. Signs and symptoms of Marfan syndrome are skeletal, nervous system, skin, teeth, and lung problems. Treatment for Marfan syndrome is directed at managing any underling medical problems, for example, heart surgery and managing hypertension (high blood pressure). Most people with Marfan syndrome have a normal life expectancy, however; previously, some people have died from complications of the syndrome. There is no cure for Marfan syndrome. -
Obesity
More than two-thirds of Americans are overweight, including at least one in five children. Nearly one-third are obese. Obesity is on the rise in our society because food is abundant and physical activity is optional. The safest way to lose weight is to eat less and exercise more. Treatment may also include medications, surgery, and behavior modification. -
Palpitations
Heart palpitations are an abnormality of the normal heartbeat and rhythm and are a symptom of another disease or problem. Causes of heart palpitations include heart disease or other heart problems (mitral valve prolapse, atrial fibrillation), during pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause, postmenopause, anxiety, emotional stress, stimulants (caffeine, alcohol, drugs), and some over-the-counter and prescription medications. Other symptoms that may accompany heart palpitations include nausea, vomiting, sweating, shortness of breath, and angina (heart pain). Some types of heart palpitations can be fatal, for example, ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. -
Cigarette Smoking
Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of death and illness among Americans. Effects of smoking can cause cancers, emphysema, bronchitis, COPD, chronic cough, and more. Smoking cessation includes nicotine replacement therapy and behavioral therapy. -
Staying Up to Date Heart Attack Guidelines
Medical conferences help keep doctors up-to-date on the latest best medical practices, such as heart attack guidelines. -
SVT Supraventricular Tachycardia vs Heart Attack
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a rapid heart rate that affects the upper ventricles of the heart. In contrast, a heart attack is a severe reduction or complete blockage of blood to one or more segments of the coronary arteries that can cause death of heart muscle. -
The Different Types of Hernias
A hernia happens whenever a wall or membrane in the body weakens or ruptures, allowing organs to slip through. These can be painful, but are generally not serious and can be easily corrected with surgery. The types of abdominal hernias include: hiatal hernia, umbilical hernia, or incisional hernia. -
What Are the Health Risks of Smoking vs Drinking
Cigarette smoking is a leading contributor to death and illness among Americans and drinking alcohol remains the number one drug problem in the U.S. There is growing evidence for genetic and biologic predispositions for alcoholism. -
What Are the Health Risks of Smoking vs Obesity
Both smoking and obesity are leading contributors to illness and death in the U.S. Smokers have a greater risk of cancer heart attack, respiratory illness (emphysema, COPD, pneumonia), high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, and aortic aneurysms. Obesity can increase a person’s risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and depression. -
What Are the Signs of An Impending Heart Attack
A heart attack, also called myocardial infarction (MI), happens when the blood flow from the coronary arteries to the heart is reduced or blocked completely. When this occurs, it starves the heart muscle of oxygen and nutrients, resulting in damage to the heart and potential death. -
What Does a Hiatal Hernia Attack Feel Like
A hiatal hernia, a tear or defect in the diaphragm that lets the stomach intrude into the chest cavity, may cause heartburn, cramps, occasional vomiting or trouble breathing. -
What Does a Mini Heart Attack Feel Like
A mini heart attack, also called a mild heart attack or a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), is when there is only partial blockage of the artery, the symptoms don’t last as long as a regular heart attack, and the heart may only suffer minimal damage. -
Ask Feel Like Have Deep Vein Thrombosis symptoms
I travel a lot by airplane and I sit at a desk for my job. I have some cardiovascular problems, so I worry about blood clots forming in my legs. I want to be vigilant about potential symptoms of deep vein thrombosis. What does DVT feel like?
Featured:
Chest Pain Chest pain has a variety of noncardiac and cardiac causes, some of which can be very serious. Signs and symptoms of chest pain may include burning, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest.
Atherosclerosis,
angina,
lung tumors,
chest trauma,
abdominal pain, and
gastric reflux
are just a few potential causes of chest pain. Chest pain is diagnosed by taking the patient history and performing a physical exam. Blood work, imaging tests, and an exercise stress test may be ordered. The treatment and prognosis of chest pain depends on the underlying cause.
Can a Hiatal Hernia Feel Like a Heart Attack? Topic Guide - Visuals
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Can a Hiatal Hernia Feel Like a Heart Attack? Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
EsomeprazoleEsomeprazole is used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid such as Zollinger-Elli...learn more »
PantoprazolePantoprazole is used to treat erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from stomach acid caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD) in adults an...learn more »
ClopidogrelClopidogrel is used to lower your risk of having a stroke, blood clot, or serious heart problem after you've had a heart attack, severe chest pain (angina), ...learn more »
LansoprazoleLansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that is used to treat and prevent stomach and intestinal ulcers, erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from st...learn more »
OmeprazoleOmeprazole is used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions caused by excess stomach acid. Omeprazole is also used t...learn more »
Aspirin (oral)Aspirin is a salicylate (sa-LIS-il-ate) that is used to treat pain, and reduce fever or inflammation.
learn more »
WarfarinWarfarin is an anticoagulant (blood thinner). Warfarin reduces the formation of blood clots...learn more »
Can a Hiatal Hernia Feel Like a Heart Attack? Topic Guide – Related Topics
Related Topics:
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Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is not a heart attack. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also called stress cardiomyopathy or "broken heart syndrome," is a heart condition tha...learn more »
Hernia FAQs
Hernia occurs when part of an organ (intestine, bowel, bladder) or fatty tissue pushes through a weak spot or tear in the abdominal muscles. Inguinal hernias oc...learn more »
Winter Health Hazards Heart Attacks and Broken Bo
Winter health hazards include heart attacks brought on by exertion from snow shoveling, slipping and broken bones from slipping on ice, and loss of the tips of ...learn more »