Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

5 Cardiovascular Emergencies, CPR and AED Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is a term used to describe the symptoms and problems caused by ischemia in the arteries of the heart. The reduction of oxygen and nutrients to the heart leads to chest pain. When this reduction in oxygen is temporary, it is called angina. When it is more serious (leading to the death of cardiac tissue), it is an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), otherwise known as a heart attack. A sign that a patient is suffering from a Acute Coronary Syndrome, my clutch or rub their chest, arms or neck.

Typically during a ACS a patient may complain of various symptoms including chest pain in the centre of the chest behind the breastbone. They don’t always describe it as “pain”, some patient’s describe it as “ache”, “squeezing”, “pressure” or generalized discomfort like indigestion. The pain can also radiate to the jaw, the arm (usually left), or both arms, the mid back and the upper stomach. The patient can have shortness of breath, nausea, and sweating. Angina Chest pain does not always signal a heart attack. If, for a short time, the heart is not getting enough oxygen, the resulting pain is called angina. Typically a narrowing of a coronary artery can bring on Angina. Angina is caused when the heart’s need for oxygen is more than the supply.

136

www.preohs.com