How can i tell if i am having a heart burn or heart attack? it seems that symptoms of heart burn and heart attack are very similar, how can i tell the differences and the warning signs before it's too late

There : There is no single test that distinguished one from the other. A heart attack is more likely if you are a man older than age 55, or a woman older than age 65, if you smoke, have diabetes, high blood pressure or have high levels of total cholesterol. It is more likely to be a heart attack if you have relatives who had a heart attack at an early age (men before age 55 or women before age 65) or you have had a heart attack previously. A heart attack is usually a feeling of pressure behind your breast bone which may radiate to the arms, associated with exertion (activity) and relieved with rest or nitroglycerin. It may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sweating or feeling faint. It is less likely to be a heart attack if the pain is sharp or stabbing, occurs due to a change in your position or with taking a deep breath. Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that may radiate into the back, jaw, neck or arms, and can be accompanied by a cough, hoarseness, difficulty or pain with swallowing, vomiting and lung problems including asthma and pneumonia. It may resolve on its own or with the use of antacids. It occurs after you eat, especially if you lie down soon after, if you eat a lot of chocolate, or peppermints, if you smoke or drink coffee. Because these types of chest pain are difficult to separate, if you think you might be having a heart attack, call 911, use Nitroglycerin if you have it, and chew on an Aspirin while you await 911.

Treat heartburn: It can be hard to tell the difference even for your doctor without testing. I find it very useful to treat the heartburn proactively by avoiding foods that cause it and maybe using medication to suppress it if needed. That way you are less likely to get any chest pain. You should also talk to your doctor about modifying your risk factors for heart disease.