Heartburn and Acid Reflux: symptoms, self-care and when to get help
Checked against current published health guidance — last reviewed 2026-09-23. See how we check.
Heartburn is a burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid travelling up towards the throat (acid reflux). It is common and often triggered by food, drink, weight or pregnancy. Lifestyle changes and pharmacy remedies usually help, but chest pain with breathlessness, sweating or pain spreading to the arm or jaw needs emergency help.
Overview
Symptoms can include a burning feeling in the middle of the chest, an unpleasant sour taste, a cough or hiccups that keep coming back, a hoarse voice and bloating. They are often worse after eating, when lying down or bending over.
Common triggers include large or fatty meals, alcohol, coffee, chocolate, smoking, being overweight, stress, pregnancy and some medicines.
What may help
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals
- Avoid food and drink that trigger your symptoms
- Try not to eat within 3 to 4 hours of going to bed
- Raise the head of your bed by 10 to 20cm so your chest and head are above your waist
- Lose weight if you are overweight, and stop smoking
- Ask a pharmacist about antacids and other remedies
When to see a pharmacist or GP
- Heartburn most days for 3 weeks or more
- Lifestyle changes and pharmacy medicines are not helping
- Food getting stuck when you swallow, or frequent vomiting
- Losing weight without trying
When it could be an emergency
- Chest pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck or jaw, or chest pain with sweating, feeling sick or breathlessness
- Vomiting blood, or vomit that looks like ground coffee
- Black, sticky poo
If any of these apply, don't wait — call your local emergency number (see emergency numbers by country, or Red Flags in the app), or go straight to your nearest emergency department.
Want more detail, tailored to your own situation?
Look up "Heartburn and Acid Reflux" in the appCommon questions
Is heartburn the same as acid reflux?
Heartburn is the burning symptom. Acid reflux is the cause: stomach acid travelling up towards the throat. When it happens often, it may be called GORD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease).
Can heartburn feel like a heart attack?
Sometimes. If you have chest pain with breathlessness, sweating or pain spreading to your arms, neck, jaw or back, treat it as an emergency and call your local emergency number.
What helps heartburn at night?
Avoid eating for 3 to 4 hours before bed and raise the head of your bed so your chest is higher than your waist.
Is heartburn common in pregnancy?
Yes. A pharmacist, midwife or GP can advise on remedies that are suitable during pregnancy.
Official sources
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General information only, last checked 2026-09-23 — not medical advice and not a diagnosis. This page doesn't cover every cause or every person's situation; for anything specific to you or someone in your care, speak to a pharmacist, GP, or other qualified professional. See how we check. Be Health Wise is part of the Be Wise family of apps.