Acute coronary syndrome is a term used to describe a range of conditions associated with sudden, reduced blood flow to the heart. One such condition is a heart attack (myocardial infarction) — when cell death results in damaged or destroyed heart tissue. Even when acute coronary syndrome causes no cell death, the reduced blood flow changes how the heart works and is a sign of a high risk of heart attack.
Symptoms:
• Chest pain (angina)
• Pain spreading from the chest to the shoulders, arms, upper abdomen, back, neck or jaw
• Nausea or vomiting
• Indigestion
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea
• Sudden, heavy sweating (diaphoresis)
• Lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting
• Unusual or unexplained fatigue
• Feeling restless or apprehensive
Diagnoses:
• Electrocardiogram (ECG
• Blood tests
• Coronary angiogram
• Echocardiogram
• Myocardial perfusion imaging
• Computerized tomography (CT) angiogram
• Stress test
Treatments:
• Thrombolytics
• Nitroglycerin
• Antiplatelet drugs
• Beta blockers
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
• Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
• Surgery (Angioplasty and stenting, Coronary bypass)
