By Barbara Floria, Pure Matters "Heart attacks sometimes mimic
simple health conditions, such as indigestion, so it's important
to know the difference between these and other conditions," says
Mark G. Perlroth, M.D., professor of medicine at Stanford
University in Palo Alto, Calif. The following guidelines can
help you make the right decisions and take the right steps when
seconds count. Simple causes of chest pain Any of these
conditions can cause chest pain: - Indigestion usually is
accompanied by burping, belching, heartburn, nausea, and a sour
taste in the mouth. - A panic attack usually is accompanied by
heart palpitations, shortness of breath and anxiety. - Chest-
wall or muscle pain from exercise or injury can be made worse
when the sore area is pressed with a finger. - The breathing
pain of respiratory infections often can be made worse by
coughing and deep breathing. It is important to know that any of
these symptoms also can be present with a heart attack. Do not
assume that you are just having indig