--- title: "Heartburn: What It Means & When to See a GP | HealthAnswers" description: "Heartburn is a burning chest discomfort caused by acid reflux — smaller meals and antacids usually help, but daily symptoms or weight loss need a GP…" url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/heartburn-symptom/ robots: noindex --- # Heartburn: What It Means & When to See a GP | HealthAnswers Symptoms Heartburn is a burning chest discomfort caused by acid reflux — smaller meals and antacids usually help, but daily symptoms or weight loss need a GP review. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What could heartburn mean? Heartburn is a burning discomfort in the chest caused by stomach acid rising into the oesophagus (acid reflux). Lifestyle changes and antacids usually help. See a GP if you have heartburn most days or with weight loss, and call 999 for pressure-like chest pain, as a heart attack can feel similar. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Heartburn, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 4 sections ## Common causes of heartburn - Acid reflux is the most common cause of heartburn. - Large meals and alcohol are common triggers of heartburn. - GPs may prescribe proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for frequent heartburn. - Alarm symptoms such as swallowing problems, weight loss or anaemia need endoscopy. - A heart attack can mimic heartburn, so call 999 if you are unsure. ## What is heartburn? Heartburn is a burning discomfort in the chest that happens when stomach acid rises into the oesophagus (the food pipe). Occasional heartburn is common and usually nothing to worry about, but frequent or long-standing symptoms are a different matter and deserve a GP review. ## Causes of heartburn Acid reflux is the most common cause of heartburn. A hiatus hernia and pregnancy can both make reflux more likely, and obesity and smoking also contribute. ## Self-care for heartburn Eating smaller meals and raising the head of your bed can both reduce symptoms. Antacids from a pharmacy can relieve heartburn in the short term, but they are not a long-term answer for frequent symptoms. ## When to see a GP about heartburn See a GP if you get heartburn on most days, as frequent symptoms may need treatment with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and further investigation. Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), unexplained weight loss and anaemia are alarm symptoms that usually need investigation with an endoscopy. ## ! When to get medical help for heartburn See a GP if you have heartburn on most days, or if you have problems swallowing. Call **999** or go to A&E for pressure-like chest pain with breathlessness. Call **111** for urgent advice when you are unsure what to do. ## Common questions about heartburn How can I tell the difference between heartburn and a heart attack? Heartburn typically causes a burning feeling after meals, while a heart attack tends to cause pressure-like chest pain, often with sweating. If you are unsure which you are having, call 999. Which foods trigger heartburn? Fatty food, coffee, alcohol, chocolate and large meals are common heartburn triggers. Working out which ones affect you, and cutting down on them, often reduces symptoms. Is it safe to take antacids long-term? Antacids are intended for short-term relief. If you need them frequently, see a GP, who can review your symptoms, consider a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and arrange investigation if needed. Can acid reflux cause a cough? Yes, acid reflux can cause a cough. So-called silent reflux can lead to a chronic cough and repeated throat clearing without obvious heartburn, and a GP can assess whether reflux is the cause. ## Sources - [NHS — Heartburn And Acid Reflux](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heartburn-and-acid-reflux) - [NHS — Indigestion](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/indigestion)