Acute Coronary Syndrome – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments!

Acute Coronary Syndrome – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments  of this condition. In addition, Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) refers to a spectrum of clinical presentations ranging from those for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) to presentations found in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). or in unstable angina.

It is almost always associated with the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque and partial or complete thrombosis of the infarct-related artery. So, check out now  Acute Coronary Syndrome – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments:

What is Acute Coronary Syndrome: Acute  Coronary Syndrome is a term used to describe a range of conditions associated with sudden and reduced blood flow to the heart. A condition under the umbrella of Acute Coronary Syndrome is myocardial infarction (heart attack) – when cell death results in damaged or destroyed heart tissue.

Even when acute coronary syndrome does not cause cell death, the reduced blood flow alters heart function and indicates a high risk of heart attack. Acute Coronary Syndrome usually causes severe chest pain or discomfort.

It is a medical emergency that requires immediate diagnosis and care. Treatment goals include improving blood flow, treating complications, and preventing future problems.

Causes of Acute Coronary Syndrome: Acute  Coronary Syndrome usually results from the buildup of fatty deposits (plaques) on the walls of the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscles.

When a plaque deposit ruptures or splits, a blood clot forms. This clot blocks blood flow to the heart muscles. When the oxygen supply to cells is too low, heart muscle cells can die.

Cell death – resulting in muscle tissue damage – is a heart attack ( myocardial infarction ). Even when there is no cell death, an inadequate supply of oxygen still results in heart muscles not working properly or efficiently.

This dysfunction can be temporary or permanent. When Acute Coronary Syndrome does not result in cell death, it is called unstable angina.

Symptoms of Acute Coronary Syndrome:  Signs and symptoms of Acute Coronary Syndrome , which often start abruptly, include the following:

• Chest pain (angina) or discomfort, often described as pain, pressure, tightness, or burning
• Pain radiating from the chest to the shoulders, arms, upper abdomen, back, neck, or jaw
• nausea or vomiting
• Indigestion
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Sudden, heavy soiling (diaphoresis)
• Dizziness, dizziness or fainting
• Unusual or unexplained fatigue
• Feeling restless or apprehensive

While chest pain or discomfort is the most common symptom associated with Acute Coronary Syndrome , the signs and symptoms can vary significantly depending on your age, gender, and other medical conditions. People who are most likely to have signs and symptoms without chest pain or discomfort are women, older adults, and people with diabetes .

When to See a Doctor:  Acute Coronary Syndrome isa medical emergency, and chest pain or discomfort can indicate any number of serious and life-threatening conditions. Call 911 immediately for a quick diagnosis and proper care. Do not go to an emergency service.

Acute Coronary Syndrome Risk Factors:  The risk factors for Acute Coronary Syndrome are the same as for other types of heart disease. Risk factors for  Acute Coronary Syndrome include:

• Advanced Age (over 45 for men and over 55 for women)
• High pressure
• smoke cigarette
• lack of physical activity
• high blood cholesterol
• Unhealthy diet
• Obesity or overweight
• Diabetes
• Family history of chest pain, heart disease, or stroke
• For women, a history of high blood pressure, preeclampsia, or diabetes during pregnancy

Diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome:  If you have signs or symptoms associated with Acute Coronary Syndrome , an emergency room doctor will likely order several tests. Some tests may be performed while your doctor asks you about your symptoms or medical history. Tests include:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG). This test measures electrical activity in your heart through electrodes attached to your skin. Abnormal or irregular impulses may indicate poor heart function due to a lack of oxygen to the heart. Certain patterns in electrical signals can indicate the general location of a blockage. The test can be repeated several times.
• Bloodtests. Certain enzymes can be detected in the blood if cell death results in damage to heart tissue. A positive result indicates a heart attack.

Information from these two tests – as well as signs and symptoms – can provide the primary basis for a diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome and can determine whether the condition qualifies as a heart attack or unstable angina.

Acute Coronary Syndrome Treatments:  The immediate Acute Coronary Syndrome  treatment goalsare to relieve pain and suffering, improve blood flow, and restore heart function as quickly and as best as possible.

Long-term treatment goals are to improve overall heart function, manage risk factors, and reduce the risk of heart attack. A combination of drugs and surgical procedures can be used to achieve these goals.

Medications:  Depending on the diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome , medications for emergency care or management, in some cases both – may include the following:

• Thrombolytics, also called clots, help dissolve a blood clot that blocks an artery.
• Nitroglycerin improves blood circulation by temporarily widening blood vessels.
• Antiplatelet drugs, which help prevent blood clots, include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), prasugrel (Effient), and others.
• Beta blockers help relax your heart muscle and slow your heart rate, thus decreasing the demand on your heart and lowering your blood pressure. These include metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), and several others.
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors expand blood vessels and improve blood flow, allowing the heart to function more easily and efficiently. They include lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), benazepril (Lotensin), and several others.
• Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), which help control blood pressure, include irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), and several others.
• Statins reduce the amount of cholesterol  circulating in the blood and can stabilize plaque deposits, making them less likely to rupture. Statins include atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), and several others.

Surgery and Other Procedures:  If medications are not enough to restore blood flow to your heart muscles, your doctor may recommend one of these procedures:

• Angioplasty and stenting. In this procedure, your doctor inserts a long, small tube (catheter) into the blocked or narrowed part of your artery. A wire with a deflated balloon is passed through the catheter into the narrowed area. The balloon is then inflated, opening the artery by squeezing plaque deposits against the walls of your artery. A mesh tube (stent) is usually left in the artery to help keep the artery open.
• Coronary bypass surgery. With this procedure, a surgeon takes a piece of blood vessel (graft) from another part of your body and creates a new route for blood that surrounds or bypasses a blocked coronary artery.