Acute Coronary Syndrome

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) consists of any group of symptoms attributed to occlusion of coronary arteries. The main symptom observed in ACS is chest pain that usually radiates to the left arm and could associated with sweating, nausea and dyspnea.
Typically, SCA occurs as a result of the following situations:
• Unstable angina;
• The two types of myocardial infarction.
Although in terms of pathology SCA is often related to coronary thrombosis, can also be consequent from the use of cocaine. In addition, the ACS can also be triggered by a physiological stress which causes there to be a greater demand on the heart.
The clinical presentation of ACS is characterized by chest pain, burning or constriction, typically with retrosternal location and may radiate to the upper extremities, shoulder or jaw. The pain caused by infarction is similar to angina; however, presents greater length and higher intensity. Together, there may be sweating, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath and palpitations. Some patients may experience palpitations, anxiety or a feeling of impending death.
Diabetics or elderly patients may have acute myocardial infarction presenting without pain, with clinical manifestations may be decompensated heart failure and syncope.
Treatment
The usual treatment of patients with ACS is done with aspirin, nitroglycerin, and if there is a persistent chest discomfort, morphine.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis can be done through some tests, such as ECG, imaging tests (like chest x-rays) and blood tests.
SCA is usually the result of damage to the coronary arteries by atherosclerosis. Prevention of the latter is done by controlling the risk factors through a healthy diet, physical exercise, avoid smoking, controlling cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension.