What's the difference between heartburn and acid reflux?
Heartburn and acid reflux have similar symptoms, including a burning pain in the chest after eating. Understanding the differences between heartburn, reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be confusing. We're here to help.
Understanding acid reflux
When you eat, food travels from the esophagus down into the stomach, and the muscle around the bottom of the esophagus typically closes.
When you have acid reflux, it stays open and the stomach contents — like digestive juices, enzymes, acid and food — flow backwards into the esophagus.
It’s normal to experience acid reflux sometimes. But acid reflux can become severe and chronic, leading to GERD, which is a more serious condition.
Heartburn basics
Heartburn is basically a burning feeling in your chest—usually after eating. It is a symptom of acid reflux and GERD. As with acid reflux, some heartburn is completely normal.
Compare the symptoms of heartburn vs reflux
Acid reflux share the same symptoms as heartburn —plus several more. Here’s a breakdown:
| Heartburn | Reflux |
| A burning pain in the chest usually after eating or when lying down or bending over | A burning pain in the chest usually after eating or when lying down or bending over |
| Regurgitation of food and bitter or acidic taste | Regurgitation of food and bitter or acidic taste |
| A burning feeling in your throat | Feeling a lump in your throat |
| Difficulty swallowing | Difficulty swallowing |
| Hiccups | |
| Burping | |
| Chronic cough |
Do you think you might have reflux? Take our reflux quiz to compare your symptoms.
When to call the doctor
If you experience severe chest pain or pressure (plus shortness of breath or jaw or arm pain), get immediate medical care. You could be having a heart attack.
You’ll want to make an appointment if you:
- Have severe or frequent GERD or reflux symptoms
- Experience heartburn more than twice a week
- Have difficulty swallowing
- Have frequent nausea or vomiting
- Take over-the-counter medications more than two times a week
- Aren’t getting relief from those medications
How to reduce your discomfort
Here are some strategies to help alleviate your symptoms.
- Try to stay away from specific foods known to aggravate heartburn and acid reflux. These foods include chocolate, coffee, alcohol, tomato products, spicy and fatty foods, cheese, citrus, carbonated beverages and peppermint.
- Eat smaller meals
- Stop smoking
- Maintain a healthy weight for your body
- Eat two or three hours before lying down to sleep
- Keep your head elevated during sleep
- Avoid wearing tight clothing and belts.
- Take over-the-counter medicines that neutralize stomach acid, block the backwards flow of fluids from your stomach, and cut the production of stomach fluids.