‘She was constantly burping’: Cardiologist recalls unusual heart attack case

Burping is typically associated with gas, acidity, or indigestion, but a recent case shared by cardiologist Dr Haresh Mehta highlights why unusual digestive symptoms should not be dismissed as stomach problems. The woman, who only experienced constant burping, had a troponin level of around 1,000, indicating a heart attack in progress.

In rare cases, persistent burping may be a sign of an impending heart attack, particularly when other typical symptoms are absent. Dr Aseem Dhall, Director & HOD, Cardiac Sciences at ISIC Multispeciality Hospital, explains that while burping is usually linked to digestive issues, it can occasionally indicate a heart attack. This is because the heart and digestive organs share some nerve pathways, and the brain may misinterpret heart pain as indigestion.

Women are more likely to experience atypical heart attack symptoms compared to men, such as unusual fatigue, breathlessness, nausea, and sweating. If burping is sudden, unusual, or persistent, especially in someone with heart-risk factors, it should not be dismissed as acidity. People should seek urgent medical evaluation if they experience sudden or unexplained fatigue, particularly in women and older adults.