Indigestion vs Chest Pain: Difference and Comparison

Our daily life routine reflects our health conditions.

If we eat healthy food and sleep for at least eight hours, our health does not get affected, but if we eat junk food and do not take enough sleep, we become unhealthy and moody,

which affects our daily life schedule.

Therefore a healthy diet is very important for a healthy lifestyle.

Indigestion and Chest pain both are related to human beings’ health. And both the problems begin with problematic lifestyle routines.

Foods like burgers, pizza, noodles, etc., that contain food coloring and an excess amount of oil do not get digested easily and cause indigestion.

Key Takeaways

1. Indigestion originates in the stomach or upper abdomen, whereas chest pain may arise from multiple sources, including the heart and lungs.
2. Indigestion symptoms include bloating, gas, and stomach discomfort, while chest pain may present as pressure, tightness, or burning sensation.
3. Treatment for indigestion includes antacids and dietary changes, while chest pain may require immediate medical attention to address serious underlying conditions.

Indigestion vs Chest Pain

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a common condition that affects the digestive system. It is characterised by discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen, bloating, and a feeling of fullness after eating. Chest pain is a symptom that can be caused by a range of medical conditions. It is a common symptom of heart disease and can be a sign of a heart attack or angina. 

Indigestion is a common issue among youngsters because of their unhealthy food intake and lack of exercise.

Indigestion occurs when the food we eat does not digest easily by the bile juices secreted by the liver and, due to that, acid is released in access, which affects the walls of the stomach.

Chest Pain does not include any specific reason as it can also happen due to ill health or anxiety. If the Chest Pain comes with a bitter taste or acidic taste in the mouth, then it is a major symptom of weak digestion.

But if it includes pain in the arm and discomfort in the neck area, then it is the major symptom of a heart attack.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Indigestion	Chest Pain
Pain radiation	During Indigestion the pain or the symptoms do not get transferred to other parts of the body.	During Chest Pain the pain may get transferred to body parts like the arm, shoulders, and neck.
Other Names	The other names of Indigestion include heartburn, acidity, dyspepsia, etc.	The other names of Chest Pain include angina pectoris, coronary, cardiovascular disease, etc.
Level of pain or severity	Initially, it includes mild pain in the abdominal area, but if not treated with concern, the severity of the pain increases.	The pain is sudden and, it reaches your arms and shoulders too and may feel like a heavyweight on your chest.
Symptoms	It includes symptoms like pain when lifting an object, backing up of acidic taste in your mouth, upper abdominal pain, chest burning, etc.	It includes symptoms like pain in the arm, back, shoulder, shortness of breath, etc.
Causes	It is caused by unhealthy eating habits, like eating too much, not swallowing the food properly, smoking, and an increase in fatty acids, etc.	It is caused by decreased blood flow in the heart, obstacles in the functioning of the lungs, aortic dissection, etc.

What is Indigestion?

Indigestion is a disease related to improper digestion of food. It is a common type of disease that can affect almost anyone, but it mostly targets the age group of people between twelve to twenty-five.

It is also known as upset stomach in a common language because the stomach is the only part that gets affected during this disease.

Indigestion can also occur because of medications because our body goes through several chemical changes during any course of medicines.

But if the severity of Indigestion increases one should refer to a doctor because it can cause constipation, vomiting, weight loss, etc.

Chronic diseases like stomach cancer, stomach ulcers, gallstones, diabetes, etc can also cause Indigestion or stomach-related problems. For elimination of Indigestion,

one should avoid drinking beverages in excess, avoid spicy foods, and should prefer walking instead of going to bed directly after eating.

What is Chest Pain?

Chest Pain includes many forms like burning in the chest area, sharp stab pain, vibration pain, etc. The Chest Pain may travel to other parts of the body including your jaws.

If the Chest Pain is constant and difficulty in breathing, then one should immediately seek medical help.

Sometimes the Chest Pain is caused by muscle injuries or any type of injury related to bones and, the symptoms include sore muscles, bruised or broken ribcage, joint pains, etc.

Problems in the lung area also can cause Chest Pain because of a lack of oxygen-carrying arteries in the heart area.

The diagnosis process involved in Chest Pain includes an electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, blood test, chest CT and magnetic imaging, etc.

People should involve cardiovascular exercises in their daily routine, as this maintains the health of the heart.

Main Differences Between Indigestion and Chest Pain

1. Initially, Indigestion includes mild pain in the abdominal area, but if not treated with concern, the severity of the pain increases. On the other hand, Chest Pain is sudden and, it reaches your arms and shoulders too and may feel like a heavyweight on your chest.
2. Chest Pain is caused by decreased blood flow in the arteries of the heart area, obstacles in the functioning of the lungs, aortic dissection, etc. Whereas Indigestion is caused by unhealthy eating habits, like eating too much, not swallowing the food properly, smoking, and an increase in fatty acids, etc.
3. During Chest Pain the pain may get transferred to body parts like the arm, shoulders, and neck. While During Indigestion the pain or the symptoms does not get transferred to other parts of the body.
4. Chest Pain is also known by other names that include angina pectoris, coronary, cardiovascular disease, etc. Whereas the other names of Indigestion include heartburn, acidity, dyspepsia, etc.
5. Indigestion includes symptoms like pain when lifting an object, backing up of acidic taste in your mouth, upper abdominal pain, chest burning, etc. While Chest Pain includes symptoms like pain in the arm, back, shoulder, shortness of breath, etc.

References

1. https://www.bmj.com/content/323/7324/1294.short
2. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199605163342007

Last Updated : 04 July, 2023