Acute coronary syndrome occurs when blood flow to the heart suddenly falls, triggering a heart attack or unstable angina. A heart attack damages heart tissue, while unstable angina signals high future risk. The condition often brings intense chest pain and demands urgent medical attention to restore circulation and prevent life-threatening complications.
What Are the Symptoms?
Chest pain or pressure is a common sign of ACS. It may feel like tightness, burning, or aching. The pain can spread to the shoulders, arms, jaw, neck, or upper abdomen.
Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, indigestion, or upper belly pain. Some people suddenly feel short of breath or start sweating. A fast or irregular heartbeat may occur. Dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and extreme fatigue are also possible.
Some people, especially women, older adults, and diabetics, may have ACS without chest pain.
Why Does This Disease Occur?
ACS happens when plaque builds up in the heart’s arteries. If this plaque breaks, a blood clot can form and block blood flow. The heart then receives less oxygen, which damages its cells. When these cells die, a heart attack occurs. If blood flow drops but cells don’t die, it leads to unstable angina.
Who Is at Risk?
Older adults face a higher risk of ACS. The risk also increases for people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or obesity. Smokers and those who use tobacco are more vulnerable. A sedentary lifestyle or an unhealthy diet adds to the danger.
Family history of heart disease or stroke also raises the risk. Women with early menopause or past pregnancy complications are more likely to develop ACS. COVID-19 survivors may also face an increased risk.
How Is This Disease Diagnosed?
ECG/EKG: Tracks the heart’s rhythm for abnormalities.
Blood tests: Identify damage to the heart muscle.
Coronary angiogram: Detects blockages in the heart’s arteries.
Echocardiogram: Evaluates the heart’s structure and function.
Myocardial perfusion imaging & CT angiogram: Assess blood flow to the heart.
Exercise stress test: Measures heart performance during physical activity.
What Are the Possible Complications?
Acute coronary syndrome can lead to serious health problems. These include heart attack, heart failure, irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), sudden cardiac arrest, and damage to heart tissue. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to reduce these risks.
What Is the Treatment?
Immediate Goals
The first priority is to relieve pain, restore blood flow, and support heart function.
Long-Term Goals
Long-term treatment aims to improve heart efficiency, reduce the risk of another heart attack, and manage underlying risk factors.
Medications
Common medications include clot busters (thrombolytics), nitroglycerin, antiplatelets such as aspirin or clopidogrel, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors or ARBs, and statins or other cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Procedures
Some patients may require procedures like angioplasty with stenting or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to restore blood flow and protect the heart.
How Can You Take Care at Home?
Patients can support their recovery at home through lifestyle changes. Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke is essential. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting sugar, salt, and fat helps protect the heart.
Regular exercise for at least 30 minutes most days, monitoring cholesterol and blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress through mindfulness or support groups are also important. Limiting alcohol intake and getting 7–9 hours of sleep daily further support heart health.
How Can This Disease Be Prevented?
Many cases of ACS can be prevented with healthy habits. Regular exercise, avoiding smoking and excess alcohol, controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, managing stress, getting adequate sleep, and attending regular heart check-ups all lower the risk.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Seek emergency medical help immediately if you experience chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting, sweating, nausea, or unusual fatigue. Do not drive yourself to the hospital in these situations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can ACS happen without chest pain?
Yes. Women, older adults, and diabetics may have subtle symptoms like fatigue or nausea.
Q2. Can ACS be prevented?
Yes. A healthy lifestyle, exercise, and controlling risk factors reduce the chance of ACS.
Important Note: This information is for awareness only. Consult a healthcare professional for advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
