Introduction

Acute Coronary Syndrome

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a severe and sudden heart condition that requires aggressive treatment, but has not developed into a full blown heart attack. Acute coronary syndrome includes:

• Unstable angina. Unstable angina is a much more serious situation than stable angina. It is often an intermediate stage between stable angina and a heart attack.
• NSTEMI (non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction). This condition, also called non Q-wave myocardial infarction, is diagnosed when blood tests and ECGs suggest a developing heart attack. The injury in the arteries is less severe than with a full-blown heart attack.