The condition of heartburn, in medical term, is called Gastroesophageal reflux disease abbreviated GERD. Heartburn or GERD can make asthma worse if the acid is inhaled onto the breathing tubes, and even worse by nerve reflexes connecting the swallowing and breathing tubes. It is of doubt that hydrochloric acid or stomach acid inhaled onto the bronchial tubes will cause more inflammation and thus worsens the asthma symptoms.

It is estimated that more than 75% of the asthma patients also experience frequent heartburn. Asthmatics develop twice the probability of getting heartburn that the people who do not have asthma. The patients who have severe chronic form of asthma that is resistant to treatment are most likely to develop GERD.

GERD is basically the chronic backward flow of stomach acids into the esophagus which produces a burning sensation commonly referred to as heartburn. However acid reflux might cause chest discomfort and coughing that are often mistaken as the symptoms of asthma. Asthmatics feel wore in their chest if they also have GERD and chest symptoms are alleviated by treating GERD, even if it does not directly affect their asthma.

Relationship between asthma and heartburn is complicated and uncertain. GERD may worsen asthma symptoms; however asthma and some asthma medications may worsen GERD symptoms. Also treating GERD also relieves some of the asthma symptoms thus giving yet another relation between the two.