When Chest Burning After Tea Might Actually Be a Heart Attack, Warns Cardiologist

A burning feeling in the chest after drinking tea is often ignored as simple acidity, but doctors warn it can sometimes point to a heart attack. Dr Dixit Garg, a consultant in interventional cardiology at Manipal Hospital in Gurugram, points out that people frequently mistake this discomfort for indigestion and take an antacid instead of seeking medical help.

Why It Happens

A heart attack happens when an artery supplying blood to the heart gets blocked. This usually occurs when a fatty deposit inside the blood vessel breaks open and a blood clot forms. When blood flow stops, the heart muscle loses oxygen and starts getting damaged. This risk is especially important to watch out for in women, older adults, and people with diabetes.

Medical Tests

Doctors use several tests to confirm a heart attack and check the extent of the damage. An electrocardiogram, or ECG, checks for changes in the heart's electrical activity. Blood tests look for cardiac markers like troponin, which are released when heart muscle cells suffer damage. An echocardiogram checks how well the heart is pumping blood, and coronary angiography helps find the exact location and severity of any blockages.