What is the Difference Between Gas Pain and a Heart Attack?

Gas Pain vs Heart Attack: How to Tell the Difference

Gas pain, just like a heart attack, can cause chest pain and discomfort. However, both of these are different and knowing their differences is essential. Timely intervention during a heart attack can be life-saving. Let us discuss the differences between a heart attack and gas pain.

Comparative Analysis of Gas Pain and Heart Attack

The table below illustrates how gas pain differs from a heart attack.

Parameters	Heart Attack	Gas Pain
Triggered by	Emotional stress, physical exertion, and sudden blockage of a coronary blood vessel	Overeating, consuming too much air, and eating gas-producing food
Location	Behind the breastbone, it may radiate to the arms, jaw or neck	Upper or lower part of the abdomen, and may radiate to the chest
Nature	Tightening, squeezing or crushing sensation, weight-like pressure on the chest	Bloating, sharp cramping, tightness or a knotted feeling in the stomach
Warning Signs	Unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, mild chest discomfort	No warning signs as such
Duration of Pain	Longer than a few minutes may come in waves	Temporary pain resolves in hours
Variability	May or may not experience typical symptoms, may be asymptomatic	Some people may experience extreme bloating and pain, while others may feel mild discomfort
Changes in Pain	Does not go away without medical intervention	Goes away after burping or passing gas

From the above table, we can see that gas pain and heart attack have huge differences. The primary difference is that a heart attack targets the heart while gas pain targets the abdomen.

Causes of Gas Pain

Your stomach and intestines are always filled with gas and are a natural part of the digestive process. However, excessive gas buildup can cause pain. Here are the causes:

High-fibre Food Consumption: Beans, corn, potatoes, and apples contain high amounts of fibre. If you consume too much, it can cause gas pain. However, this does not mean you should stop eating them. Balance them with proteins and other nutrients.
Air Consumption: If you talk while eating or smoke, it can lead to gas pain. Too much air consumption can result in excessive gas.
Digestive Condition: Your gas pain can also arise from an existing gastrointestinal condition. It could include coeliac disease, lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome.

Causes of Heart Attack

It is also known as myocardial infarction (MI). A heart attack is usually a result of blood vessel blockage. Cholesterol and other unwanted substances can build up inside your coronary blood vessels, causing blockage. Sometimes, these buildups rupture the blood vessels, resulting in blood clot formation.

A heart attack is a medical emergency. Call 112 for an ambulance immediately if you or your loved ones are experiencing any symptoms.

Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Before a heart attack occurs, certain symptoms appear. They are as follows:

Heart palpitations
Chest pain or angina
Insomnia
Stomach discomfort
Anxiety
Trouble breathing

These symptoms vary from person to person. Some people may not experience any symptoms. It is called a silent heart attack.

Symptoms of Gas Pain

Gas pain can manifest in your body as:

Sharp pain in your abdomen
Chest pain

Knowing the difference between a heart attack and gas pain is essential. This information will help save someone’s life. Be alert and play a proactive role in identifying the symptoms.