Hiatal Hernia Topic Guide

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.

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.

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 occur in the groin and hiatal hernias occur in the stomach. Causes include weakness in the abdominal wall, injury, surgery, family history, pregnancy, and obesity. Symptoms include pain and swelling. Treatment is usually surgical repair.

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.

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.

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.