Acute Coronary Syndrome

Healthcare providers diagnose acute coronary syndrome using a physical exam, blood tests and an EKG, which records your heart’s electrical activity. The results help your healthcare provider determine if your condition is a heart attack or unstable angina.

Additional exams can help rule out other conditions and guide treatment. Some tests, such as an exercise stress test or medication stress test, increase your heart rate to show how well your heart is working at its hardest.

Healthcare providers also use imaging studies, such as a CT scan or heart MRI, to produce detailed pictures of your heart. Other imaging tests may include:

Calcium-score screening heart scan.
Cardiac catheterization.
Coronary computed tomography angiogram.
Coronary angiogram.
Echocardiogram.
Nuclear medicine imaging.

Acute coronary syndrome is a medical emergency. If results show that blood flow to your heart is blocked, you receive immediate treatment. If you have severe symptoms, like loss of consciousness, you may receive treatment before providers confirm a diagnosis.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.