 [ Symptoms ] how do i know if i have heartburn [ Disease ] a description of your symptoms may be all a doctor requires to diagnose heartburn but sometimes additional testing may be necessary the esophagus can be viewed through an endoscope a long thin flexible tube inserted through the mouth or by x ray sometimes your doctor may recommend a 24 hour esophageal ph probe study especially if you have unusual symptoms such as throat or chest or abdominal pain coughing or asthma like symptoms in this test a long narrow flexible tube is inserted through the nose down into the esophagus and a probe is left there for 24 hours this probe detects acid levels to determine if it correlates with your symptoms a newer technique called bravo measures 24 hour acid it is done using wireless ph sensors which eliminates the need for a tube insertion to detect if your heart is the cause of your symptoms an electrocardiogram a recording of the heart is electrical activity may be taken