What condition might be suggested in a patient experiencing chest pain while lying down and indigestion?

The symptom of experiencing chest pain while lying down, combined with indigestion, suggests a possible diagnosis of a hiatal hernia. In this condition, part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, which can lead to symptoms such as heartburn and chest discomfort that often worsen when the patient is in a supine position. This characteristic is particularly notable, as lying down can increase pressure on the abdomen and exacerbate the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus, leading to both indigestion and chest pain.

In contrast, gastroesophageal reflux disease primarily causes symptoms of heartburn but does not typically present exclusively with discomfort while lying down. Angina pectoris, which involves chest pain due to cardiac ischemia, might present with similar symptoms, but these are usually more associated with exertion or stress rather than a positional change like lying down. Pneumothorax typically presents with sharp, sudden chest pain and difficulty breathing rather than symptoms related to lying down and digestive discomfort. Thus, the combination of this patient’s symptoms points most strongly to a hiatal hernia.