Acute coronary syndrome is a name given to three coronary diseases that occur when the blood supply to the heart is suddenly blocked. A blocked artery triggers a heart attack, which kills millions of people every year. This syndrome can, therefore, also cause heart attacks and unstable angina. Acute coronary syndrome, which causes reduced blood flow, is a condition that requires urgent intervention. Emergency intervention can improve blood flow and prevent a heart attack that could cost a person their life. Acute coronary syndrome, which refers to three different coronary diseases, these diseases should be examined separately.

Acute Coronary Syndrome Disease Types

There are three different coronary diseases in acute coronary syndrome. The most important of these is myocardial infarction, which can reduce the blood flow to the heart and cause tissue damage. This is commonly referred to as a heart attack and is responsible for millions of deaths. You can read more about acute coronary syndrome types below:

• Unstable Angina

Unstable angina is characterized by chest pain and pressure that occur out of the blue. This is a sign of coronary disease, especially a heart attack. Unstable angina is also characterized by angina occurring more frequently, getting worse, and lasting longer. This disease requires urgent intervention and can be relieved with medication. However, since it is a risky health problem, it may also require different and effective treatment methods.

• Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

A particular kind of heart attack is a non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. It is characterized by an increase in the level of chemicals in the blood. This type of heart attack cannot be detected by an ECG. In this coronary disease, which can be detected by blood tests, the blockage may be partial or temporary. It is also less risky than other types of heart attacks because the extent of damage is smaller.

• ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

ST-elevation myocardial infarction is more serious and risky than other types of a heart attacks. This type of heart attack can be detected by both blood tests and an ECG. Because it affects a large area of the heart muscle, the damage rate is also high. It occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked and requires emergency intervention.

• Symptoms of Coronary Acute Syndrome

The coronary acute syndrome occurs suddenly, and the person experiences some symptoms. The symptoms of this health problem vary depending on several factors. The symptoms of an acute coronary syndrome are usually as follows:

• Irregular heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Pressure or tightness in the chest
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Extreme fatigue
• Fainting
• Pain radiating from the chest to the shoulder, back, and arm

In general, these are the symptoms of the acute coronary syndrome. Furthermore, women do not experience symptoms such as chest pain, tightness, or pressure. The elderly and diabetic patients also do not have these chest symptoms. Men with this condition have more pronounced symptoms. These include nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and pain in different parts of the body. Acute coronary syndrome, which occurs suddenly, needs to be treated urgently. Therefore, if you are experiencing many of the above symptoms, you should call 911 and get a fast diagnosis and treatment. It is also very important that you do not go to the hospital alone, as it is a serious and risky disease.

Causes of Acute Coronary Syndrome

The main cause of the acute coronary syndrome is damage to the heart muscle and unhealthy blood vessels. Good blood flow is essential for the heart to function optimally. However, when the heart muscle and blood vessels are unhealthy, this function is difficult. Blockages in the coronary arteries are among the major causes of this serious health problem.

Coronary artery blockage is caused by fatty deposits called plaque in the coronary arteries. The acute coronary syndrome occurs when this plaque is damaged.  The formation of a blood clot narrows the blood flow and prevents oxygen from reaching the heart. The resulting lack of oxygen leads to unstable angina and myocardial infarction (heart attack). The acute coronary syndrome can also be caused by coronary artery embolism, coronary artery spasm, or spontaneous coronary artery dissection. In short, all these causes are interrelated and can lead to life-threatening health problems. Therefore, it is important to remind everyone again that acute coronary syndrome should be treated urgently by health professionals as soon as possible.

Acute Coronary Syndrome Risk Factors

Some people are at high risk of developing acute coronary syndrome, a disease that can affect anyone. In general, the risk factors for other heart diseases also apply to this disease. The risk factors for the acute coronary syndrome, which is equally likely to occur in men and women, are as follows:

• Men over 45 years of age
• Women who have completed menopause
• People leading a sedentary lifestyle
• Unhealthy diet
• Being overweight
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• COVID-19 infection
• Genetic factors
• High cholesterol

Coronary artery disease is a disease that kills many people in the US every year. The acute coronary syndrome is a type of coronary artery disease that can also lead to death. In particular, men with coronary heart disease are more likely to die from it than women.

Due to all these risk factors, it is important to adopt certain habits to prevent the acute coronary syndrome. First of all, it is important to eat a heart-healthy diet and avoid salt, saturated fat, and sugar. Moreover, it would be good to abandon a sedentary lifestyle and take a daily walk or exercise. If a person has high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, it is extremely important to control these. In addition to all these living habits, the person should aim for a healthy weight. Otherwise, the risk of developing heart disease is high.

There is no treatment method to eliminate acute coronary syndrome, one of the coronary diseases. However, it is possible to protect the heart with early diagnosis and some treatment methods. The doctor also uses some treatment methods to keep the heart working well. In short, the risks and complications of the acute coronary syndrome can be controlled.