Heartburn is sometimes accompanied by symptoms of shortness of breath. However, these symptoms are also experienced by patients with heart attacks. Therefore, it is important to be able to distinguish shortness of breath due to an ulcer with shortness of breath due to a heart attack.
Heartburn or medically known as dyspepsia is pain and burning in the pit of the stomach or stomach feels uncomfortable after eating. This condition can be caused by various conditions, such as acid reflux disease, stomach ulcers, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), or even an unhealthy lifestyle, such as frequent drinking of alcoholic beverages, smoking, or consuming too many spicy and fatty foods.
Indigestion due to heartburn can cause several symptoms, one of which is shortness of breath or heavy breathing. However, these symptoms can also indicate the presence of a dangerous condition, namely a heart attack.
Carefully Recognize the Symptoms of Ulcer
Dyspepsia or heartburn can be experienced by men and women of all ages, both adults and children. Ulcer sufferers usually feel pain around the upper abdomen (heartburn) or chest.
This symptom is sometimes accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, a full stomach, and a lot of burping. Some people with ulcers feel it after eating and some when it's too late to eat.
Shortness of breath due to ulcers occurs when stomach acid rises up the esophagus and into the throat and lungs, causing the airways to swell and make breathing difficult. This condition is one of the symptoms that must be treated by a doctor immediately.
In addition, treatment steps also need to be taken immediately if the symptoms of heartburn that appear are severe, last a long time, or are accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
- Vomiting (especially vomiting blood)
- Cold sweat
- Weight loss
- No appetite
- Yellow eyes or skin
- Darker stool color
Beware of Life-threatening Shortness of Breath
In patients with a heart attack, shortness of breath is usually accompanied by a very strong pain in the chest. This pain is characterized by a chest that feels heavy, like pressure or squeezing.
This pain and pressure can also spread to the upper abdomen, shoulders, back, throat, arms, and jaw. In addition, shortness of breath in a heart attack is also accompanied by an irregular heartbeat condition or faster than usual.
Shortness of breath that appears due to a heart attack is a dangerous condition that needs to be treated immediately by a doctor. If left untreated, a heart attack can lead to death.
Some of the symptoms of heartburn are similar to the symptoms of a heart attack. Therefore, these complaints need to be examined by a doctor so that the cause can be ascertained.
In addition to ulcers and heart attacks, shortness of breath can also be caused by COVID-19 or Corona virus infection, especially if shortness of breath appears along with symptoms of cough and fever.
Shortness of breath due to ulcers or other conditions should not be underestimated. If you are not sure about the symptoms you are experiencing or if the shortness of breath is getting worse, visit the hospital or doctor immediately so that they can be treated as soon as possible.