Yurii Yarema / Getty Images
When should I be worried about burning my chest?
Most of the time, symptoms of burning in the chest arenotdue to a heart-related condition.
Heartburn can be brought on by eating certain “trigger” foods and beverages.
Yurii Yarema / Getty Images
It can also happen if you lie down or bend over shortly after eating.
Caffeine, along with food that is spicy or high in fat, can cause heartburn.
Other causes include smoking, obesity, and pregnancy.
Acid can make its way into your throat when thelower esophageal sphincter (LES)fails to close properly.
This can cause a burning feeling in your chest and throat.
Heartburn is the most commonsymptom of acid reflux.
GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)is a chronic form of GER.
Esophagitis
Esophagitisoccurs when injury or irritation causes inflammation of the cells that line your esophagus.
Additional symptoms of difficulty and pain while swallowing may accompany your chest pain.
Gastroesophageal reflux is the most common culprit of esophagitis.
Stress is a common trigger, but others include:
This heightened anxiety can lead to chest pain.
Chest discomfort may be a presenting symptom of asthma.
Females can have atypical symptoms that can often mimic reflux.
If you have any concerns, seek medical attention.
Treatment
Treatments for burning chest pain are based on the underlying cause.
Non-lethal causes of chest pain usually resolve on their own or with self-administered treatment.
These medications can reduce stomach acid production and help to resolve your symptoms.
If the cause is asthma, using an inhaler and limiting your exposure to environmental triggers might work best.
When using an inhaler, your symptoms will likely resolve within an hour (but usually much sooner).
Summary
A burning sensation in your chest is usually due to a non-life-threatening medical condition.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
American College of Gastroenterology.Non-cardiac chest pain.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
National Library of Medicine.
MedlinePlus.Acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD: What’s the difference?
Harvard Health.9 ways to relieve acid reflux without medication.
2017;23(17):3011-3016. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i17.3011
American Lung Association.What is Asthma?
Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 84.
2022;14(3):672.
2013;138(6):1020-1021
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Sodium bicarbonate.
