Doctronic
Sign up
Symptoms & General Health

What Causes a Burning Feeling in Your Chest?

Linda Girgis | MD

Medically reviewed by Linda Girgis | MD, Girgis Family Medicine on August 20th, 2026.

A burning sensation in your chest typically stems from acid reflux, where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. This occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter weakens or relaxes inappropriately, allowing acidic stomach contents to irritate the esophageal lining. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects approximately 20% of Americans and is the most common cause of chest burning. Other potential causes include muscle strain from coughing or heavy lifting, anxiety-related chest tightness, or rarely, heart conditions. The burning usually worsens after eating spicy foods, lying down, or bending over, and may be accompanied by a sour taste in your mouth or difficulty swallowing.

Still have questions about this?

Ask your AI Doctor

Keep exploring

Related Questions

Can Stress Cause Your Hair to Fall Out? Read the answer What Does It Mean When Your Fingers Turn White in the Cold? Read the answer Can You Feel a Blood Clot in Your Leg? Read the answer Why Do I Feel Dizzy When I Stand up Quickly? Read the answer Why Do I Get a Headache When I Bend Over? Read the answer Can High Cholesterol Cause Headaches? Read the answer

From the blog

More from Doctronic