Acute Coronary Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

What is Acute Coronary Syndrome?

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is a term used for conditions where the blood flow to your heart becomes suddenly blocked or reduced. This can stop your heart from getting the oxygen it needs to work properly. When this happens, parts of your heart muscle can become damaged. 

Being familiar with the Acute Coronary Syndrome meaning helps you take the right steps early. It’s important to recognise it quickly and seek help, as fast treatment can reduce the risk of further heart damage and support your recovery.

What Types of Heart Conditions Does ACS Include?

ACS is not just one condition—it includes several heart issues that develop when your heart doesn’t receive enough blood. These can vary in severity, and understanding the differences can help you and your doctor make informed decisions.

• Unstable Angina: This is chest pain that can happen even when you are resting. It occurs due to reduced blood flow to the heart. It’s a warning sign that a heart attack may occur if the condition isn’t managed quickly.
• NSTEMI (Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction): This type of heart attack causes partial blockage in the arteries. While the damage to the heart is less than in more serious types, it still requires urgent care and monitoring.
• STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction): This is the most serious form of ACS. It happens when a major artery is completely blocked for a longer time. This causes significant damage to the heart muscle and needs immediate treatment.

Each type has its own treatment approach, but all forms are medical emergencies that need urgent attention.

Who Gets Acute Coronary Syndrome?

ACS can affect anyone, but certain factors increase your chances. If you are over the age of 45 as a man, or have gone through menopause as a woman, your risk may be higher. Other lifestyle habits such as smoking, lack of physical activity, or a diet high in unhealthy fats also contribute. 

People with diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol are also more prone. A family history of heart conditions can also raise your risk. Taking control of these factors with support from your healthcare provider can make a positive difference to your heart health.

Are There Other Conditions Like Acute Coronary Syndrome?

Not all chest pain or shortness of breath means you have ACS. Some conditions can mimic ACS, so it’s helpful to know what else might be causing your symptoms.

• Pericarditis: This is inflammation around the heart which can cause sharp chest pain, often mistaken for heart-related pain.
• Pulmonary Embolism: A blood clot in the lungs may cause chest discomfort and breathing issues, similar to ACS.
• Acid Reflux or GERD: Stomach acid can irritate your food pipe and feel like heart pain.
• Muscle or Bone Injuries: Chest pain can also come from the muscles or bones in your chest area, especially after injury or strain.
• Panic Attacks or Anxiety: Emotional stress can cause chest tightness and rapid heartbeat, which can feel similar to ACS symptoms.

It’s always best to let a doctor assess these symptoms, especially if they appear suddenly or seem unusual.

Causes of Acute Coronary Syndrome

The main cause of ACS is reduced blood flow to your heart. This usually happens due to a build-up of fatty deposits in your arteries. Sometimes, a sudden event like a plaque rupture can lead to a blockage.

• Atherosclerosis: Over time, fat and cholesterol can form plaques in your arteries, narrowing them and restricting blood flow.
• Plaque Rupture: A plaque can suddenly break open, leading your body to form a blood clot at the site. This clot may block the artery.
• Coronary Artery Spasm: Sometimes, an artery can tighten or spasm, limiting blood flow temporarily, though this is less common.
• Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD): This rare cause involves a tear in a blood vessel, reducing blood supply.
• Coronary Embolism: In some cases, a clot or air bubble travels from another part of the body and blocks a coronary artery.

Symptoms of Acute Coronary Syndrome

Recognising Acute Coronary Syndrome symptoms early can be life-saving. While some signs are clear, others may be mild or feel indigestion. Always take any unusual symptoms seriously.

• Chest Pain or Discomfort: This is the most common symptom. It may feel like pressure, tightness, or burning and often spreads to your arms, neck, jaw, or back.
• Shortness of Breath: You might feel breathless even at rest, or during light activity. This can be an early warning sign.
• Nausea or Vomiting: Some people experience stomach discomfort, especially women.
• Excessive Sweating: Sudden sweating, even in cool environments, may occur during an ACS event.
• Dizziness or Lightheadedness: A blocked heart may not pump well, causing you to feel faint or dizzy.
• Palpitations: Your heart may feel like it’s racing, fluttering, or skipping beats.
• Fatigue: Unusual tiredness, especially if it happens suddenly, is another sign your heart may not be getting enough oxygen.

Each person’s experience can differ, so don't wait to seek help if something doesn’t feel right.

Risk Factors

Certain things make you more likely to develop ACS. Some can be changed, while others like age or family history cannot—but understanding them empowers you to act.

• Age and Gender: Risk increases with age, especially in men over 45 and women after menopause.
• Smoking: This damages blood vessels and lowers oxygen in the blood, increasing the strain on your heart.
• High Blood Pressure: Over time, high pressure can weaken your arteries and lead to plaque build-up.
• High Cholesterol: Too much LDL (bad cholesterol) and too little HDL (good cholesterol) raise your risk.
• Diabetes: High blood sugar can damage your arteries and increase your risk of blood clots.
• Obesity: Extra weight often leads to other risk factors such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Lack of Exercise: Being inactive can affect your heart’s health and your body’s ability to manage fat and sugar.
• Unhealthy Diet: Diets high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats contribute to heart disease.
• Stress: Long-term stress may affect your blood pressure and lead to unhealthy coping habits like smoking.

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will look at several signs and tests to confirm whether you're experiencing ACS. Getting a proper diagnosis helps you start the right treatment quickly. In clinical records, this condition is often classified under the Acute Coronary Syndrome ICD 10 coding system, which helps ensure accurate documentation and care planning.

• Symptoms Assessment: You’ll be asked about your chest pain, when it started, and whether anything makes it better or worse.
• Physical Examination: A basic check-up can reveal clues about your heart's function and overall condition.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test checks your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity for signs of damage.
• Blood Tests: These tests can detect specific proteins released when the heart is injured.
• Medical History: Your personal and family medical background plays a role in the diagnosis.

Tests

To fully understand what’s happening with your heart, your doctor may suggest one or more of the following tests:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): Quick and painless, this helps identify any irregular heart rhythms or signs of heart strain.
• Blood Tests: Certain enzymes and proteins increase when your heart muscle is damaged, and blood tests can detect these.
• Coronary Angiogram: This test uses a dye and X-ray to find blockages in your heart’s blood vessels. It helps doctors decide if treatment like stenting is needed.
• Echocardiogram: This scan uses sound waves to show how well your heart is pumping and how the valves are working.
• CT Angiogram: A non-invasive scan that offers detailed images of your heart arteries to find any plaque or narrowing.
• Myocardial Perfusion Imaging: This test shows how well blood flows through your heart muscle, using a safe radioactive dye.
• Exercise Stress Test: This checks your heart’s performance during activity, either through walking or using medication to simulate exercise.

Treatment

Treatment for ACS focuses on restoring blood flow quickly and reducing the risk of future problems. You may be given medication, and in some cases, procedures or surgery. The right treatment depends on your specific condition and needs.

Medicines

Your doctor may prescribe medications to ease your symptoms and protect your heart in the long term.

• Antiplatelet Drugs (e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel): Help prevent new clots from forming by thinning your blood.
• Nitroglycerin: Widens blood vessels to improve blood flow and relieve chest pain.
• Beta Blockers: Slow your heart rate and lower blood pressure, helping your heart work more efficiently.
• ACE Inhibitors: Help relax your blood vessels and reduce strain on your heart.
• ARBs (Angiotensin Receptor Blockers): Used if you can’t tolerate ACE inhibitors, they also reduce blood pressure.
• Statins: Lower cholesterol and help stabilise plaque in the arteries, preventing rupture.
• Thrombolytics (Clot Busters): These powerful medicines dissolve clots quickly and are used in emergency settings.

Medication is often first step in stabilising your condition and preventing complications.

Surgery and Other Procedures

If your arteries are severely blocked, you may need a procedure to improve blood flow.

• Angioplasty with Stenting: A small balloon is inserted into the blocked artery and inflated to open it. A stent (mesh tube) is then placed to keep it open.
• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): This surgery involves using a healthy blood vessel from another part of your body to create a new route for blood to reach your heart.
• Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI): A less invasive way to open narrowed arteries using small tools guided through a blood vessel.

These procedures improve blood flow and support your heart’s function moving forward.

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Your everyday habits can make a big difference in your heart health. These steps can help you feel better and lower the chance of future heart problems.

• Stop Smoking: Quitting smoking reduces your risk of another cardiac event and improves blood flow.
• Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet: Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while limiting salt, sugar, and saturated fats.
• Stay Active: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity most days. Walking, cycling, or gentle exercise helps strengthen your heart.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Losing even a small amount of weight can help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Manage Stress: Use relaxation techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, or talking with a friend or professional.
• Limit Alcohol: Drink in moderation—no more than one drink a day for women and two for men.
• Improve Sleep Habits: Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep each night and try to keep a regular bedtime routine.

Conclusion

Caring for your heart starts with awareness, and knowing the signs of Acute Coronary Syndrome can make a real difference. Whether you're managing risks or recovering from symptoms, early testing and diagnosis are key. 

That’s where Metropolis Healthcare can support you—offering reliable, science-backed tests and convenient home sample collection. Their advanced labs and expert teams make sure you get accurate results when it matters most.

FAQs

How common is acute coronary syndrome?

It affects millions globally each year and is a leading cause of emergency hospital visits for chest pain.

Is there a cure for acute coronary syndrome?

There's no complete cure, but prompt treatment and lifestyle changes can help manage and prevent future heart events.

How is acute coronary syndrome treated?

Treatment includes medications, lifestyle changes, and sometimes procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery to restore blood flow.

How can I reduce my risk of developing acute coronary syndrome?

Quit smoking, eat heart-healthy food, exercise regularly, manage stress, and monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.