Can Burping be a Sign of Angina? 

Introduction

Angina is a type of chest pain or discomfort caused by a lack of blood flow to the heart muscle. The oxygen carried by the blood is required by your heart muscle. Angina can feel like a squeezing or pressure in your chest. It may feel as if you have indigestion. Shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, and back pain are all possible symptoms.

The most prevalent causes of burping are carbonated beverages and swallowing air. Most of the time, the gas does not reach your stomach. Instead, it is stuck in your oesophagus and won't come up. However, some studies have concluded that belching can be associated with angina pectoris.¹

Less common symptoms of angina

Burping

The symptoms of angina pectoris might include definite, easy-to-recognize symptoms as well as more ambiguous symptoms like chills, nausea, dizziness, and mild chest pain.

Angina symptoms, both conventional and unusual, are occasionally coupled with or obscured by extracardiac signs, which are sometimes attributed to the belly. In this study, angina presents in an unexpected way in this case.

A 63-year-old man who had always been healthy presented to Sultan Qaboos University in Oman with a two-month history of burping episodes as his lone complaint. He was diagnosed with angina pectoris despite the absence of any conventional symptoms or signs. Surgery was successful in treating him. Burping, therefore, can be a presenting symptom of angina.¹

Common causes of burping

You're more prone to burp and swallow air when you:

• Chew gums
• Smoke
• Are eating too hastily
• Suck on brittle candies
• Have ill-fitting dentures

Burps can be a result of heartburn which can be caused by intake of foods that are high in fat or oil content. Drinks containing caffeine or alcohol might also make your symptoms worse.

Angina is also symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD) which is the most common type of heart disease. When a sticky substance called plaque builds up in the arteries supplying blood to the heart, it reduces blood flow and causes CAD.

Therefore, it is important to note that heartburn or symptoms associated with indigestion can be indicative of angina.

Symptoms of types of angina

Stable angina

The signs and symptoms of stable angina are usually predictable. This indicates that your angina could be triggered by the same amount of exertion or activity. When you stop or slow down the exercise, the angina should improve or go away.

The most prevalent symptom is chest pain that arises behind or to the left of the breastbone. Stable angina discomfort usually starts slowly and worsens over the next several minutes before disappearing. Tightness, heavy pressure, squeezing, or crushing are common sensations associated with chest pain. It has the potential to spread to the:

• Arms 
• Back
• Jaw
• Neck
• Shoulder

Some people claim that the ache is similar to gas or indigestion. Other symptoms that are less common include:

• Fatigue
• Breathing problems
• Weakness
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Sweating, nausea, and vomiting
• Palpitations

Specific symptoms of stable angina:

• Usually occurs as a result of physical exercise or stress.
• Lasts between 1 to 15 minutes on average.
• Is alleviated by rest or the use of nitroglycerin.
• Angina attacks can strike at any time of day. They usually happen between 6 a.m. and noon.

Unstable angina

Unstable angina is a type of chest pain that occurs suddenly and worsens quickly. Unstable angina can cause the following symptoms:

• Chest pain that may radiate to your shoulder, arm, jaw, neck, back, or other parts of your body
• Tightness, squeezing, crushing, scorching, choking, or agonising discomfort that occurs when you are not taking medicine and does not go away easily
• Breathing problems
• Sweating

You may be developing unstable angina if your chest discomfort:

• Starts to feel different, becomes more severe, occurs more frequently, or occurs when you are less active or at rest
• Lasts for at least 15 to 20 minutes
• Happens for no reason (for example, while you are asleep or sitting quietly)
• Nitroglycerin does not work well for it (especially if this medicine worked to relieve chest pain in the past)
• Is accompanied by a dip in blood pressure or shortness of breath occurs

Unstable angina is a warning sign that a heart attack is imminent and should be addressed as soon as possible.

When to see a doctor

It is critical to consult your doctor if your burping has become excessive. Your doctor will ask you questions about when the belching started and if it has happened before to have a better understanding of your symptoms. They'll also inquire about patterns, such as whether the belching is caused by anxiety or occurs after taking a specific food or beverage. They may also request that you keep a food journal for a few days.

Even if you don't think they're relevant, make sure you disclose any other symptoms you're experiencing. This will assist your doctor in gaining a complete picture of the problem and determining the most likely treatment.

Your doctor may perform a physical examination and prescribe further tests such as belly X-rays or stomach emptying studies. There are also the following tests:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
• CT scans 
• Ultrasound examinations
• Tests for indigestion
• Tests on hydrogen and methane

These will provide your doctor with a clear picture of your digestive system, which will aid in their diagnosis.

When to dial 999

If the discomfort spreads and causes pain in one of your arms, jaw, or neck, or if you feel breathless, nauseated, or disoriented, it's more likely to be a heart attack. If you are concerned that your symptoms are affecting your ability to perform activities or are lasting longer than 15 minutes, call 999.

Summary

Angina is type of chest pain that is caused by a lack of blood flow to the heart. There are some common and more prevalent symptoms of angina which include chest pain, (tightness, squeezing or crushing pain) and there are specific symptoms for different types of angina. Moreover, it has been claimed that the chest pain can be a result of indigestion and hence, symptoms associated with indigestion could be a potential sign of angina. Therefore, you should consult your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above.