I started having gas pains in the middle of my chest about a month ago.  I started eating more slowly and only ate half of what I had been eating as I am obese.  However, the chest pain continues and often is 2-3 hours after I eat or before I have eaten anything, such as in the morning.  So my question is how to tell if its gas or a heart condition such as angina?
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. Honestly speaking, it is very difficult to differentiate between gas pain and heart pain. But heart pain is more severe kind of pain as compare to gas pain. It is basically excruciating type of pain with perspiration, sweating, chest heaviness. Heart pain is also radiating to left jaw, left shoulder and arm. But these classical differences may not see all the time. Many times, heart patients are complaining of gas pain, and it is actually found out to be of heart pain. So better to get done heart work up like ECG, 2d echo and stress test to rule out heart pain. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.