"While they BOTH can bring on a burning sensation or intense pain in your chest that radiates into the upper abdomen, neck and throat, there are ways you can tell the difference. Heartburn is caused by gastric reflux, the regurgitation of stomach acid. When it is severe, it can produce a stinging, chest-tightening, stabbing pain that radiates throughout your torso. And although it is not immediately life-threatening, it CAN cause serious health problems. When heartburn is chronic, it's a risk factor for esophageal cancer. So it does merit medical treatment. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is STOPPED, often by a blood clot, and the affected muscles either suffer damage or die. This is what sparks the oppressive, fiery pain that may spread through the chest and other parts of the upper body. Weakness and shortness of breath may also happen, because the heart is no longer effectively circulating blood. Sweating, lightheadedness, dizziness and nausea are also common during a heart attack, but NOT during episodes of heartburn. If you even WONDER if you or someone else is having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 right away. It's always best to over-react; under-reacting could have serious consequences. And emergency responders don't mind, if it turns out you're only dealing with severe indigestion. For more information on heart health, check out other videos on this site"