Written by:Liv Hospital Medical Writer TeamFact check:

What It Means

What Is Heartburn?

Heartburn is a burning feeling behind the breastbone or in the upper chest. It can sometimes rise toward the throat and is often more noticeable after eating or when lying down. Heartburn usually happens when stomach contents flow back into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach.

What does heartburn feel like?

Heartburn symptoms may include a sour or bitter taste, regurgitation of food or liquid, belching, or discomfort that gets worse when you bend over. Heartburn is a symptom rather than a diagnosis. Occasional episodes are common, but frequent symptoms may need an assessment for gastroesophageal reflux disease, also called GERD.

Emergency Warning Signs

When Heartburn May Be an Emergency

Get urgent help

Chest symptoms can be serious

Call emergency services for new, severe, persistent, or unexplained chest pressure or pain. It is especially important to seek help if symptoms occur with shortness of breath, sweating, faintness, nausea, or pain spreading to the arm, back, neck, or jaw; it is safer not to assume chest symptoms are heartburn.

  • New, severe, persistent, or unexplained chest pressure or pain
  • Shortness of breath, sweating, faintness, or nausea
  • Pain spreading to the arm, back, neck, or jaw

Possible Causes

What Causes Heartburn?

  • Acid reflux can allow stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus.
  • Large, fatty, spicy, acidic, or highly caffeinated meals can trigger symptoms in some people.
  • Eating close to bedtime or lying down soon after a meal can make reflux more likely.
  • Pregnancy and increased pressure in the abdomen can contribute to heartburn.
  • Smoking, alcohol, and certain medicines may worsen reflux or irritate the esophagus.
  • Frequent heartburn may be related to gastroesophageal reflux disease and should be medically assessed.

Personal triggers vary, so a food that causes acidity heartburn symptoms for one person may not affect another. Recurring heartburn should not automatically be blamed on one food; reflux disease, medicines, pregnancy, and other factors may also play a role.

Relief Tips

Heartburn Relief and Self-Care

  • Eat smaller meals and note which foods or drinks trigger your symptoms.
  • Stay upright for about two to three hours after eating rather than lying down immediately.
  • Avoid tight clothing around the waist and consider raising the head of the bed if nighttime symptoms occur.
  • Limit tobacco, excess alcohol, and other personal triggers.
  • Ask a pharmacist about an appropriate antacid or acid-reducing medicine and follow the label directions.

When to See a Doctor

When to See a Doctor About Heartburn

  • Arrange an appointment if heartburn happens frequently or continues for several weeks.
  • Seek medical advice if symptoms disrupt sleep, eating, work, or usual activities.
  • Ask a clinician or pharmacist for guidance if you need over-the-counter medicine often or it is not helping.
  • Get assessed for trouble or pain with swallowing, repeated vomiting, unexplained weight loss, vomiting blood, or black stools.

Diseases & Conditions

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