ACS

Question 1

what is ACS?

Answer 1

acute coronary syndrome

a group of conditions that occur when blood supply to an area of the heart muscle (myocardium) is suddenly reduced or blocked.

ischemia is the term for reduced blood supply

ischemia can present in the symptoms of unstable angina
- prolonged ischemia can lead to death of heart tissue (MI)

Question 2

what are the typical symptoms of ACS?

Answer 2

central chest pain/discomfort that may spread to back, jaw, left shoulder/arm. the pain may also be felt in the abdomen and can be mistaken for indigestion

SOB

heavy sweating

nausea

palpitations

fainting

women and older adults have atypical symptoms:
- 30% of cases ahve no chest pain
- 20% of patients have mild or no symptoms

Question 3

what are the risk factors for ACS?

Answer 3

aging

family history of heart diseases

smoking

diabetes

HTN

high cholesterol

obesity

sedentary lifestyle

unhealthy diet

psychosocial stress

Question 4

what are the causes of ACS?

Answer 4

the most common cause is the formation of a blood clot in an artery aleardy narrowed by an atherosclerotic plaque.

Question 5

what does treatment involve?

Answer 5

all patients with suspected ACS are treated promptly with:
- antiplatelets (usually aspirin)
- angina medications (nitroglycerin)
- supplemental oxygen if required

once ACS diagnosis is confirmed, they are treated with:
- anticoagulants
- beta-blockers
- ACE-inhibitors
- statin