Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a term given to a group of symptoms. They are associated with chest pain at rest or during mild exertion. It also refers to certain type of heart attack known as unstable angina . This is a very serious condition. It indicates a heart attack could soon occur.
ACS can be a life-threatening condition. If you think you have ACS seek immediate medical treatment.
ACS is caused by a narrowing of the coronary arteries. These blood vessels carry blood to the heart muscle. The blood flow to the heart muscle is either greatly reduced or completely blocked. This leads to heart muscle damage or death.
Blood clots can sometimes cause the narrowing of the arteries. The narrowing most often happens from years of plaque build-up in an artery. This is called atherosclerosis .
The following factors increase your chances of developing acute coronary syndrome:
ACS is very serious. It requires immediate medical treatment. Contact your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. If you suspect ACS, call an ambulance. At the hospital, tests may include the following:
If you are having a heart attack, doctors will:
Based on a 2008 review, treating ACS with angiography and revascularization (restoring blood flow to the heart) may reduce the rate of being hospitalized again. But the surgery did not reduce the rate of death or heart attack. *¹
To help reduce your chances of getting ACS, take the same heart-healthy lifestyle steps to prevent other forms of coronary artery disease such as:
RESOURCES:
American College of Cardiology
http://www.acc.org/
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
http://www.ccs.ca/
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/
References:
Achar SA, Kundu S, Norcross WA. Diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. Am Fam Physician . 2005; 72:119-26.
Alexander KP, Newby LK, Cannon CP et al: Acute Coronary Care in the Elderly, Part I. Circ . 2007;115:2549-69
Cohen M, Diez JE< Levine GN et al: Pharmacoiinvasive management of acute coronary syndrome: incorporating the 2007 ACC/AHA guidelines: the cATH(cardiac catherization and antithrombotic therapy in the hospital) Clinical Consensus Panel Report-III. J Invasive Cardiol . 2007:18:525-40.
Large GA. Contemporary management of acute coronary syndrome. Postgrad Med J . 2005; 81:217-222.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/HeartAttack/HeartAttack_WhatIs.html . Accessed Oct. 29, 2006.
Swap CJ, Nagurney JT. Value and limitations of chest pain history in the evaluation of patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes. JAMA . 2005;294:2623-9.
Walker CW, Dewley cA, Fletcher SF:Aspirin combined with clopidogrel (Plavix) decreases cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Am Fam Physician . 2007;7:1643-5.
*¹7/72007 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : O'Donoghue M, Boden WE, Braunwald E, et al. Early invasive vs conservative treatment strategies in women and men with unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis. JAMA. 2008;300:71-80.
Last reviewed February 2009 by Igor Puzanov, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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