WHAT IS HEARTBURN?
Heartburn contrary to what its name says has nothing to do with your heart.  It occurs when the lining of your esophagus is exposed to stomach acid.  This causes irritation.  Heartburn is typically described as a burning sensation in the middle of your chest that moves up your throat.  It is sometimes described as food coming back in the mouth, leaving a bitter or acid taste.   Almost everyone experiences heartburn once in a while, but if you have 2 or more episodes a week, this can be a sign of a more serious problem

For many people with severe chronic heartburn, there may be underlying causes.  GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is one of the most common causes.  With GERD, acid from the stomach flows backwards into the esophagus.  This often happens because the muscle that acts like a valve to shut out stomach acid is weak or stays open (as with a hiatal hernia).  When the valve doesn’t work properly, acid from the stomach pushes back into the esophagus, causing painful heartburn. 
 
Medical therapies and basic lifestyle modifications may help reduce the symptoms, but the only way to fix the underlying problem that causes GERD is through a surgical procedure which in many cases may be performed videoscopically.
 
To determine if you are a candidate for the procedure, several diagnostic tests should be performed.  An upper endoscopy will test for any esophageal damage and identify a hiatal hernia or stricture.  A 24-hour pH study measures the amount and number of reflux episodes, and a manometry will measure the mobility of the esophagus.