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Acute coronary syndrome occurs when the heart does not receive enough blood. This is an emergency. It combines unstable angina, and a heart attack. The coronary arteries supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle. If they are narrowed or blocked, the heart does not receive the necessary amount of oxygen. This can cause angina pectoris or a heart attack. A person who starts an attack can no longer control himself, so it is necessary to provide him with first aid. Do not expect doctors, as first aid measures that you can provide yourself will be much faster and more effective. These elementary skills are essential, because in a matter of minutes the core is in danger of life.
Symptoms of coronary syndrome
Always remember that a person with a heart attack needs emergency medical attention. The attack can be strong or tolerable, escalate and fade away. In both cases, cardiac muscle tissue is destroyed, even if only individual cells are affected. The main thing to do is to ask a person with a suspected heart attack if they have chest discomfort – an immediate indication that something is wrong with the heart. Other symptoms may be mild and get worse by the minute.
For example, intermittent breathing and chest pain should already alert. Usually the pain causes discomfort, the heart presses and it seems that everything is full inside, although everyone feels it differently. A person may also experience discomfort in one or both arms, neck, jaw, stomach, or back. At first glance, the stomach is not connected to the heart, but pain can be felt anywhere.
Chest pain due to acute coronary syndrome can come on suddenly and abruptly, which is the same as a heart attack. In some cases, this pain can be unpredictable and worsen markedly, which is a hallmark of unstable angina. Always keep in mind that these symptoms should be taken seriously.
If a person experiences chest pain or other symptoms, seek emergency care immediately. If doctors cannot arrive as soon as possible, then the victim must be given first aid right on the spot.
Any of the following signs indicate a coronary syndrome and an incipient heart attack:
- pain that pierces the body from the heart to the shoulders, arms;
- nausea or vomiting
- chest pain or angina, burning sensation in the chest;
- dyspnea;
- dizziness or fainting;
- hot flashes, sweating;
- unusual or unexplained tiredness.
First aid
The first thing that is required from a person who will provide the necessary assistance is not to be afraid of the situation. You need to think quickly and clearly. The injured person must be planted, allowed to take a breath and asked to remain calm. It doesn’t matter where you are, the main thing is that the body is relaxed. If there is no chair nearby, use other available items – a bench, seats at a bus stop, or even a curb on the sidewalk.
Next, you should loosen all tight clothing, nothing should hold your breath. Men need to loosen their tie and unbutton the first button of their shirt. Women very often have an abundance of massive jewelry around their necks, a scarf or tight clothes in the chest area – all this must be removed. If the victim has heart medications such as nitroglycerin, help the person take the drug.
You must be able to do cardiac massage. In many cases, a person becomes so ill that he loses consciousness. If the casualty is unconscious or unresponsive, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
It is very important that if a person is semi-conscious (upon the arrival of the ambulance), you must tell the doctors everything that happened to him before that. Do not miss to tell about all the complaints of the person. It is also necessary to indicate whether you gave any medicines for the heart (if the patient does not have medicines with him, you should not give him your own, as they may not work or cause a dangerous reaction).
How to determine predisposition to coronary syndrome?
Determining the likelihood of coronary syndrome is very simple. It is enough to analyze your lifestyle. People who lead a more or less permanent healthy lifestyle have a low likelihood of developing a cardiovascular disease. One factor, such as smoking, can be decisive for certain people with the disease. If there are several negative factors that determine the level of your health, then they can also lead to heart disease, in particular coronary syndrome.
Acute coronary syndrome is caused by a buildup of fatty deposits, or plaque, on the walls of the arteries. They carry oxygen and other nutrients to the heart muscle with blood. When the degree of plaque deposition reaches a large size, it clogs the vessel, causing a violation of the normal blood flow to the heart muscle. Factors that increase the risk of coronary syndrome:
- age (men over 45 and women over 55 are affected);
- high pressure;
- high levels of “bad” cholesterol for a long time;
- lack of any physical activity;
- smoking cigarettes;
- obesity (any degree) or overweight;
- unbalanced nutrition;
- the presence of conditions such as diabetes, chronic heart failure.
Prevention of coronary syndrome
To avoid a heart attack, make daily lifestyle changes that will reduce your risk of heart disease. First, stop smoking and avoid exposure to cigarette smoke. Passive smokers are known to inhale the same amount of harmful substances. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and an appropriate amount of low-fat dairy and lean meats.
Last but not least, sport is an excellent unloading for the whole body. Heavy and difficult sports should be avoided.
Choose exercises that are easy to do (squats, stretches, bends, lunges), do not overdo it, as moderate exercise is necessary for heart health. The most important thing is regularity and caution.
Always maintain normal cholesterol levels. Give blood regularly and keep track of the results. To do this, you need to do a special blood test. Avoid foods containing trans fats that are high in “bad” cholesterol, and vice versa, add dairy products and foods high in healthy fats. It is very difficult to build the right diet on your own, you need to consult with your doctor, because only he knows the state of your body, and a nutritionist will select a special diet.
If you already have suspicions of coronary syndrome, then prophylaxis alone is not enough. The correct complex treatment is necessary. Take prescribed medications such as aspirin, beta-blockers, and nitroglycerin. Maintain the indicated dosage and avoid increasing the amount of medication without a doctor’s prescription. Watch your pressure – there should not be strong drops.
After a person has a heart attack, he is put on an emergency examination. The doctor conducts a thorough medical history and physical examination. If the doctor suspects this syndrome, appropriate tests and examinations are performed.
It is necessary to take a blood test, because it can be used to say whether everything is fine with the heart or the cells die. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is then ordered, which measures the electrical activity of the heart.
If tests confirm that blood flow to the heart is impaired, emergency care is needed. The goal is to reopen the artery within an hour of admission to the hospital. This will prevent a relapse. Treatment for acute coronary syndromes is proper medication and early angioplasty (a procedure in which a small balloon is inflated to open up an artery).