21. Acute Coronary Syndrome
Acute Coronary Syndrome and acute heart attack is the same thing and should be considered a medical emergency. ACS refers to different conditions that result from a decrease in blood flow to the walls of the heart, damaging its muscles thereby affecting its ability to function normally.
ACS patients usually experience heavy pressure on their chest described to be similar to an elephant sitting directly on them. There can be bouts of severe searing pain that may shoot out to their back, neck, jaw and arms, most often their left arm. Sometimes, particularly in older patients, pain is experienced in the epigastric area, often described as fullness, similar to having indigestion or gas.
