Chest pain only during the night

Dear Ask The Doctor: I wake up at night with pain in my chest and back. This happens only at night. I take prefacide daily. Drinking a glass of water usually helps or eliminates the pain. I think it's heartburn, but wonder if it's the heart.

Dear Kevin: Though your symptoms of chest pain are suggestive of reflux disease, I would advise attending your family doctor for a detailed history of the pain and a clinical examination. Your chest pain could be arising from the heart, lungs, upper gastrointestinal system or chest wall. Depending on your presentation and symptoms your doctor may advice for an electrocardiogram and cardiac enzymes to rule out a myocardial infarction.