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Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a condition when the blood supply to the heart is blocked suddenly. SKA is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
In the 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) report, coronary heart disease, which is included in acute coronary syndrome, is the most common cause of death after stroke and hypertension. Therefore, it is important to recognize the symptoms of acute coronary syndrome as early as possible. The following are typical symptoms of acute coronary syndrome that you need to be aware of.
Typical symptoms of acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
One of the typical symptoms of heart disease is chest pain. However, in the case of ACS, the chest pain felt more intense. This was confirmed by dr. Ade Meidian Ambari, Sp.JP when met in South Jakarta, on Monday (18/02).
In a meeting entitled Handling of SKA at StagePre-Hospital in Indonesia, dr. Ade explained that the chest pain caused by SKA was felt in the back of the sternum as if being stabbed and under heavy weight. The pain that appears generally also radiates to the left arm, neck, shoulder, back, jaw, to the solar plexus.
"Usually this pain lasts more than 20 minutes. Continuous chest pain. In the medical world, chest pain, which is typical for heart disease, is called angina pectoris (sitting wind), "said dr. Ade who is a member of the Indonesian Cardiovascular Specialist Doctors Association (PERKI).
Acute coronary syndrome can also be followed by other symptoms such as cold sweat, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness, and fainting.
However, the symptoms of acute coronary syndrome in elderly and young women are usually not as specific as those mentioned above. As a result, the elderly and young women need to be more careful in recognizing the symptoms of this disease.
Acute coronary syndrome is a medical emergency
A person who develops symptoms of acute coronary syndrome should seek medical attention immediately. If the patient does not get medical care immediately, the patient's risk of experiencing complications is very high.
Dr. Ade said that golden period,aka the golden period of this condition is 12 hours after the patient complains of symptoms. During that time, the patient must be immediately taken to the nearest Emergency Room (IGD) and receive reperfusion therapy, which is the process of opening blocked blood flow.
The sooner the patient receives medical attention, the sooner the blocked blood vessel is repaired. This means that the patient's chances of experiencing a cure are also getting bigger.
"Twelve hours is a very good time for us (the team of doctors) to do the reperfusion. If 12 hours pass, then the complications will get heavier, "explained dr. Ade.
Some of the complications of ACS that can be experienced by patients if they are late in getting medical care include:
- Arrhythmia. Artimia is a problem with the heart characterized by an abnormal heart rate or rhythm, which can be too long, fast, or irregular. This condition occurs because the electrical impulses that function to regulate the heart rate are not working properly. As a result, the patient's heart rate and rhythm are irregular.
- Heart failure. This condition occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood properly because the heart muscle is too weak. As a result, the flow of blood from the heart to the lungs is blocked causing fluid buildup in the lungs. This buildup of fluid can cause shortness of breath, swelling (edema), and chest pain that gets worse. In severe cases, heart failure can cause death.
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