The Difference Between Masuk Angin, Angin Duduk, and a Heart Attack

Masuk angin (a common Indonesian term for feeling unwell with bloating, chills, and body aches), angin duduk (a folk term for what doctors call angina pectoris), and a heart attack are not the same. Although their symptoms are quite similar, the three are different medical conditions, from their causes to their triggers.

Many people still do not know the difference between masuk angin, angin duduk, and a heart attack. Even though the symptoms are similar, angin duduk can be more dangerous than masuk angin.

So, how do the symptoms of these three health complaints differ? In fact, the three complaints may be quite similar. All three can cause pain in the pit of the stomach or the chest that may spread to the neck and back, cold sweats, dizziness, digestive problems such as nausea or stomach ache, and even weakness.

So, what exactly is the difference between these three health problems? Read on to find out!

01 / Heart Disease

Masuk Angin

Many people still ignore the symptoms of a heart attack because they resemble masuk angin. In fact, masuk angin is not actually a disease.

The term masuk angin may be unknown in medicine in other countries. Here in Indonesia, however, masuk angin is often used to describe feeling unwell, passing gas, belching, bloating, body aches, and so on. In short, these complaints are quite similar to those of acid reflux or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

Many people believe it is caused by too much wind entering the body, especially during the rainy season. In fact, GERD is caused by a weakening of the muscle at the lower end of the esophagus (Lower Esophageal Sphincter / LES). When the LES weakens, stomach acid and stomach contents rise back into the esophagus.

The causes of GERD vary, including obesity, older age, pregnancy, gastroparesis, or scleroderma. Some common symptoms include nausea and vomiting, indigestion, shortness of breath, and frequent belching.

02 / Heart Disease

Angin Duduk

Although both terms contain the word angin (“wind”), angin duduk is far more dangerous than masuk angin. However, some people think angin duduk is the same as masuk angin. Worse still, many people also take this health condition lightly.

In medicine, angin duduk is called angina or angina pectoris. This condition is marked by chest pain because the heart muscle does not get enough blood supply. This reduced blood supply is caused by narrowing or hardening of the blood vessels. What you should know is that angin duduk, or angina, can strike a person suddenly.

Angina pectoris is usually marked by chest pain. People with angina experience chest pain that can spread to the left arm, neck, jaw, and back. In addition, there are other symptoms, such as:

• Shortness of breath
• Restlessness
• Tiring easily
• Pain similar to GERD symptoms
• Dizziness and nausea
• Excessive sweating

03 / Heart Disease

Heart Attack

Coronary heart disease is one of the causes of a heart attack. But would you like to know what other factors can cause it?

These include high cholesterol, smoking, lack of exercise, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and stress. In short, these factors disrupt the blood supply to the heart muscle, which can result in a heart attack.

Each coronary artery supplies blood to a specific part of the heart. A blockage can damage that part. This blockage may then interfere with the heart’s ability to pump blood throughout the body. It is this condition that can potentially cause death.

Remember, a heart attack is a medical emergency that must be treated immediately. People having a heart attack often describe feeling the same way as they do with masuk angin or angin duduk.

Masuk angin, angin duduk, and a heart attack are not the same. Although their symptoms are quite similar, the three are different medical conditions, from their causes to their triggers.

At Heartology Cardiovascular Hospital, cardiologists can help evaluate your complaints, from diagnostics, interventional procedures, and heart and blood vessel surgery to the management of arrhythmia.