Does Heart Burn And Acid Reflux Lead To Severe Discomfort In Abdomen?

Within the last 4 to 5 months I have experienced a severe sensation of being punched in the stomach.This comes on slowly and lasts for about 4 hours and then disappears just as slow. The first bout I went to the ER because I have never felt like that. I was told its heartburn, acid reflux. The only common denominator I can come up with is that I started an intense Gym regiment, could this be the cause? Im 41, 5 9, 215lbs,Thanks