You may think that bloating, mild nausea or a burning feeling in your stomach is nothing more than a minor digestive issue, but a leading gastroenterologist is warning that these everyday symptoms could sometimes signal something far more serious. What makes this particularly tricky is that the discomfort often mimics ordinary indigestion, leaving even experienced doctors at risk of missing the warning signs of something else altogether.

The expert said that common digestive issues, like bloating, nausea, or a burning feeling in the upper stomach, can sometimes be an early sign of heart disease rather than simple indigestion. The confusion happens because the nerves that transmit sensations from the heart overlap with those in the upper digestive system.

As a result, heart-related pain can feel a lot like stomach discomfort, Dr Robert A Ganz explained.

He said: “Mid-upper gastric discomfort and indigestion: it’s quite possible it’s GI-related. It could be an ulcer, it could be reflux, but it sure as hell could be cardiac. So be careful.”

In a video posted on his TikTok account, Dr Ganz shared an experience from his early career when he was an intern at the University of Illinois. He remembered a senior cardiologist he worked with who often complained of indigestion.

Tragically, the cardiologist later died from a heart attack. The “stomach issues” were actually warning signs of heart disease, he said.

Years later, Dr Ganz encountered a similar scenario with a spine surgeon who regularly took antacids for persistent upper stomach discomfort.

The symptoms appeared mainly during physical activity, such as walking up stairs or carrying heavy loads. Recognising the warning signs, Dr Ganz ordered urgent testing.

A few days later, the surgeon suffered a heart attack in the operating room, but survived, thanks to immediate medical intervention.

Dr Robert A Ganz is a highly respected gastroenterologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota.

He trained at the University of Illinois and Northwestern University, and has extensive experience in digestive health, particularly gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, and oesophageal cancer.

Dr Ganz is a recognised leader in medical research and innovation, holding multiple patents and pioneering treatments such as balloon-based radiofrequency ablation for Barrett’s esophagus.