Some may have symptoms that haven't produced damage yet, and in some cases, the damage in the esophagus may have been healed by the acid-blocking medication, but still, the heartburn pain persists.

WSJ: Why Your Heartburn Drugs Don't Work

Now some doctors are flagging the potential dangers of new implantable gadgets to treat back pain, prevent stroke and soothe severe heartburn.

FORBES: Dangerous Devices

Symptoms may start with a dull pain in the chest or disguise themselves as indigestion, nausea, shortness of breath or heartburn.

CNN: Heart attacks: What you should know