Last Updated:
Mild heartburn, nausea, and breathlessness are always attributed to digestive issues. But in some people, these might signal heart health issues.
Cardiac and gastrointestinal symptoms can mimic each other.
Heartburn, nausea, or breathlessness is usually associated with an unsettled stomach or a stressful day. Maybe it’s the late-night meal, a skipped breakfast, or just a little anxiety. But cardiologists are sounding a quiet, critical alarm: these symptoms might be telling a different story, one about your heart.
“When symptoms like a hyper feeling in the mind, nausea, or breathlessness appear, they should never be brushed off,” says Dr. Sunil Dwivedi, Consultant, Cardiology at Manipal Hospital, Millers Road, Bengaluru. “No matter which part of the body they seem to arise from, they often signal something significant. These symptoms are commonly linked to the digestive system, and sometimes to the heart.”
That’s what makes these symptoms particularly tricky. According to experts, cardiac and gastrointestinal symptoms can mimic each other so closely, they’re often mistaken for one another, especially when the signs are subtle. It’s a common misconception that heart problems always announce themselves with crushing chest pain or dramatic collapses. In reality, the signs can be whisper-soft and dangerously easy to miss.
“Light heartburn, nausea, and shortness of breath may be easily overlooked as either a mild digestive issue or stress reaction,” explains Dr. Jajati Keshari Padhi, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Manipal Hospital, Bhubaneshwar. “Especially when these feelings of discomfort occur soon after eating or during exercise.”
But for certain individuals, especially older adults, diabetics, and people with multiple health conditions, heart trouble may not present with textbook symptoms at all. “Heart attacks in these groups often begin with something as subtle as mild heartburn, or sometimes just vomiting. In many elderly or immunocompromised patients, vomiting can be the only symptom.” adds Dr. Dwivedi.
One particularly deceptive symptom? Breathlessness. It’s easy to chalk it up to poor fitness, anxiety, or even the weather, but in the context of heart disease, it can be a serious sign. “Shortness of breath, often attributed to anxiety, can actually indicate congestive heart failure or coronary artery disease,” warns Dr. Padhi. “It may reflect the heart’s reduced ability to pump blood, leading to fluid backup in the lungs.”
So, how does one tell the difference between a harmless bout of acidity and a potential cardiac warning?
“Even experienced professionals can struggle with that,” Dr. Dwivedi admits. “But what patients must understand is that these are not usual symptoms. If the discomfort feels different, if your regular acidity meds don’t work, or the nausea seems unusual, don’t wait. Seek help immediately.”
As Dr. Padhi puts it, “Being famous and fabulous won’t provide answers. Many cardiac patients don’t show any signs until the condition becomes critical. By then, time becomes the enemy.”
Early detection is key. Appropriate tests and evaluations can dramatically alter the course of treatment and recovery. While it’s true that not every case of heartburn or nausea is heart-related, the risk of ignoring the early, quieter signs can be life-threatening. “It’s always better to be careful. Getting checked early can help prevent serious heart problems,” Dr. Padhi stresses.
The advice is consistent: listen to your body. If symptoms like nausea, unexplained fatigue, breathlessness, lightheadedness, or a strange sense of pressure come on and don’t resolve or worse, intensify, head straight to a tertiary care hospital, preferably to the emergency room.
view comments
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
- First Published: