Heartburn is a burning pain in your chest, just behind your breastbone. The pain is often worse after eating, in the evening, or when lying down or bending over.

Occasional heartburn is common and no cause for alarm. Most people can manage the discomfort of heartburn on their own with lifestyle changes and nonprescription medications.

Heartburn that is more frequent or interferes with your daily routine may be a symptom of a more serious condition that requires medical care.

Symptoms of heartburn include:

Chest pain may be a symptom of a heart attack. Seek help right away if you have severe chest pain or pressure, especially when combined with pain in the arm or jaw or difficulty breathing.

Make an appointment with your health care provider if:

Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach (esophagus).

Typically, when food is swallowed, a band of muscle around the bottom of the esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into the stomach. Then the muscle tightens again.

If the lower esophageal sphincter isn’t working as it should, stomach acid can flow back up into the esophagus (acid reflux) and cause heartburn. The acid backup may be worse when you’re bent over or lying down.

Certain foods and drinks can trigger heartburn in some people, including:

Being overweight or pregnant also can increase your risk of experiencing heartburn.

Heartburn that occurs frequently and interferes with your routine is considered gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD treatment may require prescription medications and, occasionally, surgery or other procedures. GERD can seriously damage your esophagus or lead to precancerous changes in the esophagus called Barrett’s esophagus.

To determine if your heartburn is a symptom of GERD, your doctor may recommend:

Many nonprescription medications can help relieve heartburn. The options include:

If nonprescription treatments don’t work or you rely on them often, see your health care provider. You may need prescription medication and further testing.

Lifestyle changes can help ease heartburn:

You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in disorders of the digestive system (gastroenterologist).

What you can do

Questions to ask your doctor

In addition to the questions that you’ve prepared to ask your doctor, don’t hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may make time to go over points you want to spend more time on. You may be asked:

What you can do in the meantime

Try lifestyle changes to control your symptoms until you see your doctor. For instance, avoid foods that trigger your heartburn and avoid eating at least two hours before bedtime.

© 1998-2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.

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