What is Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)? What is acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?
ACS is an exacerbation of coronary heart disease, when there is a rapid, sometimes instantaneous deterioration of coronary blood flow. What are the symptoms of ACS? Long duration (>20 min) anginal chest pain at rest:

• typical pain in the heart area is characterized by discomfort or heaviness behind the sternum (angina pectoris), • radiating to the left arm, neck or jaw, which may be transient (usually lasts several minutes) or a longer one. • The pain may be accompanied by sweating, nausea, abdominal pain, shortness of breath and fainting. • Atypical manifestations are often noted, such as pain in the epigastric region, dyspepsia or isolated shortness of breath. • Atypical symptoms are more common in elderly patients, in women with diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure or dementia.What should I do with ACS? Call an ambulance immediately. The ability to endure in this case is a dangerous enemy and the price of delay may be a lost life.The ambulance dispatcher needs to list the complaints clearly and distinctly, specifying the exact time of their occurrence as much as possible. If the pain lasts for more than 20 minutes, the development of a myocardial infarction should be suspected. • If pain occurs during physical exertion or while walking, stop exercising immediately, stop and sit down.• If the pain occurs at rest, in a lying position – immediately sit down with your legs down.• Open the window, unbutton the clothes that make it difficult to breathe, and provide fresh air.• Take 1 tablet of nitroglycerin under the tongue or spray 1 dose of nitromint under the tongue. If there is no effect, take these drugs again (nitroglycerin tablets with an interval of 5 minutes, no more than 3 times. • Chew acetylsalicylic acid (tablet 500mg)• The patient should be aware that if the pain is accompanied by severe weakness, pallor, cold sweat, dizziness, these may be signs of a decrease in blood pressure and taking nitroglycerin is contraindicated. Remember: the most effective timely care for the patient can be provided only in the first 2-24 hours from the onset of symptoms.