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The typical and less common symptoms of GERD, how to tell heartburn from a heart attack, and the warning signs that need medical attention.
By Editorial Team · Updated · 3 min read
This article is awaiting review by a qualified medical professional.
Quick answer
The main GERD symptoms are heartburn (a burning feeling behind the breastbone) and regurgitation (a sour taste as stomach contents rise). GERD can also cause chest pain, trouble swallowing, chronic cough, hoarseness, a lump-in-the-throat feeling and disturbed sleep. Chest pain that is crushing, spreads to the arm or jaw, or comes with sweating or breathlessness could be a heart attack, so call emergency services.
GERD symptoms range from occasional discomfort after a big meal to daily symptoms that affect sleep, work and eating. This guide covers what GERD feels like, the less obvious signs, and when symptoms are a warning. For causes and treatment, see our main guide to GERD.
Some people have reflux that reaches the throat and voice box with little or no heartburn, often called silent reflux or laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Its main symptoms are hoarseness, throat clearing and cough, which are covered in our guide to LPR symptoms.
Heartburn can be hard to tell apart from heart-related chest pain. If you are unsure, or if you have any warning signs, call emergency services.
| More typical of heartburn | More typical of a heart attack | |
|---|---|---|
| Feels like | Burning, sour taste | Pressure, tightness, squeezing, heaviness |
| Timing | After meals, when lying or bending | Often with exertion or stress, but can happen at rest |
| Spreads to | Throat | Arm, shoulder, neck, jaw or back |
| Other signs | Burping, sour taste | Sweating, breathlessness, nausea, dizziness, pale skin |
| Relief | Antacids, sitting upright | Not relieved by antacids or rest |
See a doctor promptly if GERD symptoms come with:
Noting what you eat, when symptoms occur and what helps can reveal your triggers and help your doctor. Read more in our GERD diet guide.
Call your local emergency number if you have chest pain that is crushing or spreads to your arm, jaw or back, or is accompanied by sweating, shortness of breath, fainting or nausea. Also seek emergency care if you vomit blood, pass black stools, or cannot swallow saliva.
Usually heartburn after meals or when lying down, and a sour or bitter taste in the back of the throat. Symptoms that happen twice a week or more, or that disturb sleep, suggest GERD rather than occasional reflux.
Heartburn usually feels like burning after meals, worsens when lying or bending, and eases with antacids. A heart attack often causes pressure or tightness, may spread to the arm, jaw or back, and comes with sweating, breathlessness or nausea, sometimes with exertion. If you are unsure, treat it as an emergency.
Yes. Reflux can irritate the throat and airway, causing a chronic cough, throat clearing, hoarseness and a sore throat, sometimes without any heartburn.
It can. Reflux may trigger coughing and wheezing, and it can make asthma worse. Because breathlessness can have serious causes, it should always be checked by a doctor.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace advice from a doctor or other qualified health professional. See our medical disclaimer.
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