Acute coronary syndrome is a term for a group of conditions that suddenly stop or severely reduce blood from flowing to the heart muscle. When blood cannot flow to the heart muscle, the heart muscle can become damaged. Heart attack and unstable angina are both acute coronary syndromes (ACS).
Heart attack - ACS; Myocardial infarction - ACS; MI - ACS; Acute MI - ACS; ST elevation myocardial infarction - ACS; Non ST-elevation myocardial infarction - ACS; Unstable angina - ACS; Accelerating angina - ACS; Angina - unstable-ACS; Progressive angina
A fatty substance called plaque can build up in the arteries that bring oxygen-rich blood to your heart. Plaque is made up of cholesterol, fat, cells, and other substances.
Plaque can block blood flow in two ways:
Many risk factors for heart disease may lead to an ACS.
The most common symptom of ACS is chest pain. The chest pain may come on quickly, come and go, or get worse with rest. Other symptoms can include:
Women and older people often experience these other symptoms, although chest pain is common for them as well.
Your provider may use medicines, surgery, or other procedures to treat your symptoms and restore blood flow to your heart. Your treatment depends on your condition and the amount of blockage in your arteries. Your treatment may include:
Filippo Crea is in Rome, Italy. Crea is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome. He is also highly rated in 41 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Acute Coronary Syndrome, Angina, Heart Attack, and Coronary Heart Disease.
Gregory Schwartz is a Cardiologist in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Schwartz is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome. He is also highly rated in 10 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Acute Coronary Syndrome, Unstable Angina, Angina, and Coronary Heart Disease. He is licensed to treat patients in Colorado and California.
Shaun Goodman is in Toronto, Canada. Goodman is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome. He is also highly rated in 15 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Acute Coronary Syndrome, Unstable Angina, Angina, and Heart Attack.
How well you do after an ACS depends on:
In general, the quicker your artery gets unblocked, the less damage you will have to your heart. People tend to do best when the blocked artery is opened within a few hours from the time symptoms start.
In some cases, ACS can lead to other health problems including:
An ACS is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency number quickly.
DO NOT:
There is a lot you can do to help prevent ACS.
Published Date : July 07, 2020
Published By : Thomas S. Metkus, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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