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THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.  It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
  • Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD on September 12, 2007
  • Sources: Sources

    Heartburn Health Check References:

    1. De Vault, K.  American Journal of Gastroenterology, 2005; vol 100: pp 190-200.
    2. British Society of Gastroenterology: "Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of Barrett’s columnar-lined oesophagus," August 2005.
    3. Heidelbaugh, JJ. American Family Physician, October 2003; vol 68: pp 1311-1318.
    4. Kahrilas, PJ. UpToDate.com, 2005. Pharmacy Benefits Management Strategic Healthcare Group and Medical Advisiory Panel, Parmacoeconomic Center, VHA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Adults with Gastroesophagea Reflux Disease in Primary Care Practice, March 12, 2003.
    5. Baldi, F.Digestive Disease Sciences, 1989; vol 12: pp 1890-1893.
    6. Drossman, D.A. Digestive Disease Science, 1993; vol 38: pp 1569-1580.
    7. Cook, I.J. Gastroenterology,1986; vol 90: p 1380.
    8. Richter, J.E.American Journal of Gastroenterology, 1997; vol 92 (suppl 4): pp 30S-35S.
    9. Johnston, B.T. Gastroenterology, 1992; vol 96: pp 683-689.
    10. Vaezi, M.F. Gastroenterology, 1996; vol 111: pp 1192-1199.
    11. Vigneri, S. The New England Journal of Medicine, 1995; vol 333: pp 1106-1110.
    12. Schenk, B.E. American Journal of Gastroenterology 1997; vol 92: pp 1997-2000.
    13. Gibson, P.G. The Cochrane Library, 2000, Issue 2.
    14. Hanson, D.G. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology, 1995; vol 104: pp 550-555.
    15. Lagergren, J. The New England Journal of Medicine, 1999; vol 340: pp 825-831.
    16. Richter, J.E. Clinical Perspectives, 1998; vol 1: pp 28-39.
    17. Dent, J.Gut, 1999; vol 44: pp S1-S16.
    18. Pisani, P.International Journal of Cancer, 1993; vol 55: pp 891-903.
    19. Winters, C. Gastroenterology. 1987; vol 92: pp 118-124.
    20. Ing, A.J. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 1994; vol 149: pp 160-167.
    21. Sllrn, C.J. and Waterfall, W.E. Digestive Disease Sciences,1984; vol 29: p 567.
    22. Rockey, D.C. The New England Journal of Medicine, 1999; vol 341: pp 38-46.
    23. Pratt, D.S. and Kaplan, M.M. The New England Journal of Medicine, 2000; vol 342: pp 1266-1271.
    24. Robinson, M. Archives of Internal Medicine, 1998; vol 156: pp 2373-2376.
    25. Soo, S. The Cochrane Library,2001, Issue 1.
    26. Veldhuyzen van Zanten, S. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 1996; vol 91: pp 660-673.
  • Understanding Your Score: Understanding Your Score

    The Heartburn Health Score was created by a team of medical experts at WebMD to help patients better understand how factors related to diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring can affect clinical outcomes.

    A Heartburn Health Score of:

    • 30-40

      Generally reflects minimal severity and frequency of heartburn symptoms, with no complications, little impact on daily life, and good adherence to lifestyle choices.

    • 10-30

      Generally reflects moderate symptoms that may affect daily life.

    • Less than 10

      Generally reflects significant heartburn symptoms that have negatively impacted daily life and are probably associated with a lack of attention to recommended lifestyle modification.


    The Health Score is presented for general information purposes only and may not be accurate for everyone with heartburn. It is not intended to be a substitute or replacement for an evaluation by a qualified medical provider. Only your doctor can determine which diagnostic procedures and medical treatments are right for you. Heartburn symptoms can be highly variable. The Heartburn Health Score is based only on the current answers provided and may vary widely between Heartburn Health Check sessions.


    The Heartburn Well-being Score was created by a team of medical experts at WebMD to help patients examine how personal attitudes, beliefs, and support from others may affect their heartburn and overall quality of life.


    A Heartburn Well-being score of:

    • 30-40

      Generally reflects good attitude, willingness to make sometimes difficult lifestyle choices to improve health, and a minimal impact of heartburn on overall well-being.

    • 10-30

      Generally reflects less than total commitment in pursuit of better health with moderate impact on overall well-being.

    • Less than 20

      Generally reflects someone whose well-being and daily activities have been adversely impacted by heartburn.


    The Heartburn Knowledge Score was created by a team of medical experts at WebMD to help patients make better medical decisions through a process of self-testing supported by tailored information to fill critical knowledge gaps.


    A Heartburn Knowledge score of:

    • 20

      Generally reflects a good overall understanding of heartburn.

    • 10

      Generally reflects someone who needs more knowledge for good management.

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