Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) Overview

Acute coronary syndromes (also known as Heart Attack or Myocardial Infarction) occur when a region of your heart muscle receives a severely reduced blood supply or the blood supply is completely cut off.

Acute Coronary Syndrome is a name given to three types of coronary artery disease that are associated with sudden rupture of plaque inside the coronary artery:

  • Unstable angina

  • Non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction or heart attack (NSTEMI)

  • ST segment elevation myocardial infarction or heart attack (STEMI).

 
 

Dr. Leandro Perez gives an overview of what is a heart attack and what causes this event.

 
 

Symptoms of a heart attack

Symptoms may include:

  • chest discomfort

  • chest pressure

  • chest heaviness

  • breathing difficulties

  • fainting

  • sweating neck discomfort

  • left arm discomfort

  • upper back discomfort.

Some patients may experience mild or no symptoms; other patients may experience a combination of the above symptoms.

 
 

Symptoms of a heart attack

 
 

How is ACS diagnosed?

If you have any of these symptoms, call 911. The diagnosis requires a history and physical examination; an electrocardiogram will be performed immediately and a heart catheterization (occasionally urgently) is recommended.

How is ACS treated?

ACS treatments are determined by your specific presentation; you may be treated with a coronary stent or coronary bypass surgery (coronary revascularization); all patients receive guideline-directed medical treatment regardless of revascularization strategy.

 
 

Treatments & prevention for a heart attack

 
 

To request a consultation click below or call (239) 300–0586