You feel burning in your chest after dinner and assume it is your usual heartburn.

This time it feels different, but you go to bed anyway.

Heartburn often causes burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste in the mouth and symptoms that worsen after eating or lying down.

The problem is that a heart attack can also feel like burning or indigestion. Even experienced clinicians may need an ECG and other tests to tell the difference.

Call for emergency help if the discomfort is new or unexplained and lasts more than a few minutes. Treat it as urgent if it keeps returning, spreads to your arm, jaw, neck or back, or comes with sweating, breathlessness, nausea or severe dizziness.

Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Feeling better after an antacid does not safely prove that your heart is fine. Both reflux and heart-related pain can settle temporarily.

If recurring reflux is the problem, eat smaller meals and identify your personal triggers. Avoid lying down for three to four hours after eating. Arrange a medical check if the heartburn occurs most days or you develop difficulty swallowing.

When you are not sure, treat new chest pain as urgent.

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