Acute Coronary Syndrome: What’s That?
If you’ve never heard of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) before, you might be more familiar with heart attacks or unstable angina. While those two conditions are well-known, they are also two examples of acute coronary syndromes. That’s because it’s an umbrella term covering situations where the blood supply for the heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked.
It’s essential that you understand these are absolutely medical emergencies. The blockage can either be complete and sudden or come and go. For instance, a clot might form, break apart, and then form again. Regardless, the heart tissue starts to die, whether it’s a matter of a few cells or a larger section of the heart.
Your Kingwood cardiologist might use this term broadly and regularly. However, this typically only happens in medical literature or in the medical community. After all, most people simply state, “You’re having a heart attack” rather than “You’re experiencing acute coronary syndrome.”
What Are the Symptoms of ACS?
Most commonly, pain or discomfort in the chest signal to people that there’s something wrong with their heart. However, other symptoms might leave you unsure of what’s going on, causing a
delay in your understanding of the emergency. Here are a few common signs of ACS that you should keep note of.
- Chest pain or discomfort, including fullness, pressure, or tightness
- Pain or discomfort in the arm(s), jaw, neck, stomach, or back
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
- Shortness of breath
It’s important to take these symptoms seriously. When you experience chest pain or a combination of these other symptoms, you should call 911. Oftentimes, people are in denial, thinking that it isn’t happening to them. However, as your cardiologist, your doctor wants you to understand that you should feel entitled to call 911.
Chest pain from ACS comes on suddenly, as you might associate with a heart attack. At other times, this pain is less predictable, getting worse with rest. This is often associated with unstable angina. ACS can develop in people who experience chronic chest pain from cholesterol buildup in the arteries. On top of this buildup, a blood clot can form.
Diagnosing and Treating Acute Coronary Syndrome
In order to determine the cause of your symptoms, your physician at TCAH takes a careful medical history and conducts a physical examination. At our facilities, we have a broad spectrum of diagnostics tests at our disposal. This allows our cardiologists to understand the nature of your condition and provide effective treatment. Examples include the following:
- A blood test may show evidence that your heart cells are dying.
- With an electrocardiogram (EKG), we can diagnose ACS by measuring your heart’s activity.
Should these tests confirm that blood flow to your heart has been blocked, your doctor will act quickly to reopen the artery. It is crucial that your doctor act fast because irreversible damage can accumulate. With our team of cardiologists, we can provide the necessary treatment in order to minimize this damage.
Oftentimes, treatment for ACS includes a procedure known as angioplasty, in which your doctor opens up the artery and places a stent to ensure it stays open. Medicine may also be used to dissolve blood clots.
Am I at Risk of Acute Coronary Syndrome?
Just like a stroke or heart failure, acute coronary syndromes are more likely to occur when you have certain risk factors.
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Lack of physical activity
- Obesity
- Family history
At TCAH, we are dedicated to helping our patients improve their quality of life through heart health. If you are concerned about acute coronary syndrome or your risk for other heart conditions, schedule an appointment today.