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Acute Coronary Syndrome

If you’re a heart patient, you’ve probably experienced chest pain and unrest every time you walk up a flight of stairs. After taking your prescribed medication, you felt a sense of relief. However, you may not be aware of the underlying cause of these symptoms and the potential risks associated with them. As you experience these symptoms frequently, it is understandable that you would want to know how you’d be examined and treated by a doctor.

About Acute Coronary Syndrome

Acute coronary syndrome is a clinical condition that is characterized by symptoms of a heart attack, or a likelihood of a heart attack. These symptoms are caused by a decrease in blood flow to the heart’s blood vessels.

Acute coronary syndrome is caused due to the atherosclerosis process, in which chemically modified fats accumulate in the blood vessels along the walls, narrowing the lumen and resulting in a decrease in blood flow. Other less frequent causes of acute coronary syndrome include enlarged chambers in the heart, vessel blockage by blood clots, inflammation and swelling of the vessels, tearing of the walls, carbon monoxide poisoning and pulmonary diseases that result in a lack of oxygen. Furthermore, advanced age, high blood pressure, elevated sugar or fat levels in the blood, cigarette smoking, and occupational stress can all contribute to the development of acute coronary syndrome.

Symptoms

Acute coronary syndrome is characterized by chest pain, which can manifest as pressure, tension, or a burning sensation. This is commonly referred to as angina pain. Common symptoms include difficulty breathing, nausea, and sudden episodes of severe cold sweats. Other presentations of acute coronary syndrome may include abdominal pain, cold and clammy skin, dizziness, restlessness, unusual tiredness, and heartburn. Symptoms may vary depending on the patient’s age and whether they have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes.

Diagnosis

The first test for acute coronary syndrome is an electrocardiogram (ECG). An ECG is a record of your heart’s electrical activity. As your heart tissues are damaged by a lack of blood flow, several enzymes leak into your blood. These enzymes can be measured in your blood to determine the degree of damage to your heart muscle.

Once your symptoms have resolved, you may need to get other tests done to determine the condition of blood flow to your heart. The most reliable tests for this are coronary angiogram or cardiac catheterization. These involve injecting a dye or contrast into your bloodstream and taking pictures to view the blood supply to your heart.

Echocardiograms are tests done to get pictures of your heart that help determine your heart’s pumping ability. Chest X-rays are used to check the size and shape of your heart and the big blood vessels. Nuclear scans use radioactive material to display the narrowed blood vessels in your heart.

Treatment

Depending on the severity of the symptoms and the size of the blockage, acute coronary syndrome may require different treatments. Oxygen and pain relief may be necessary in emergency situations. Thrombolytics (medications that break down blood clots) may be infused to restore blood flow to your heart. Additionally, medications may be prescribed to manage abnormal heart rhythms if an abnormality is present.

Other medications that may be administered include those that are designed to prevent further blockage, those that reduce blood vessel constriction to facilitate blood circulation to the heart, those that improve heart function by enhancing blood flow dynamics to the heart, such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, and those that reduce the levels of blood cholesterol and other harmful lipids, such as statins.

In the absence of adequate relief from the medicines, surgical procedures may be performed to restore blood flow to the heart. Angioplasty is one of the most common procedures. Angioplasty involves the insertion of a wire through a vessel in the arm or leg to the heart and then the obstruction is removed by inflating a balloon. This procedure may also be performed using a laser technique. In a second procedure known as coronary arterial bypass grafting, alternative blood vessels are grafted to bypass the blockage.

Prevention

The prevention of acute coronary syndrome can be achieved through lifestyle changes, the use of appropriate medications, and the implementation of preventive measures. Diet should be carefully monitored and exercise should be incorporated into the daily routine to reduce the risk of weight gain, which is a contributing factor to the development of acute coronary syndrome. Perform exercises lasting 30 to 60 minutes at least 5 days per week. Consume fresh fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products and hydrate well. Regular medication should be used to maintain blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol levels. Blood thinners may help to reduce the viscosity of the blood and make it easier to flow. Avoid smoking as it increases the risk of coronary heart disease.

Outlook

The symptoms of acute coronary syndrome should never be disregarded as being minor, even if the symptoms are not severe. Treatment should be administered on a regular basis to reduce the risk of recurrence. Diet, lifestyle modifications, and physical activity can have a positive impact.

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