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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffMany acute coronary syndrome symptoms are the same as those of a heart attack. And if acute coronary syndrome isn't treated quickly, a heart attack will occur. It's important to take acute coronary syndrome symptoms very seriously. Get medical help right away if you have these signs and symptoms and think you're having a heart attack:
- Chest pain (angina) that feels like burning, pressure or tightness and lasts several minutes or longer
- Pain elsewhere in the body, such as the left upper arm or jaw (referred pain)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Sudden, heavy sweating (diaphoresis)
If you're having a heart attack, the signs and symptoms may vary depending on your sex, age and whether you have an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes. Some unusual heart attack symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Pain similar to heartburn
- Clammy skin
- Lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting
- Unusual or unexplained fatigue
- Feeling restless or apprehensive
When to see a doctor
If you're having chest pain and you believe it's an emergency situation, seek medical help immediately. Whenever possible, get emergency medical assistance rather than driving yourself to the hospital. You could be having a heart attack.
If you have recurring chest pain, talk to your doctor. It could be a form of angina, and your doctor can help you decide the best course of treatment.
- Kumar A, et al. Acute coronary syndromes: Diagnosis and management, part I. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2009;84:917.
- Acute coronary syndromes. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec07/ch073/ch073c.html. Accessed Sept. 3, 2010.
- What is angina? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Angina/Angina_All.html. Accessed Sept. 3, 2010.
- Risk factors and coronary heart disease. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/print_presenter.jhtml?identifier=4726. Accessed Sept. 7, 2010.
- Scirica BM. Acute coronary syndrome: Emerging tools for diagnosis and risk assessment. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2010;55:1403.
- Lifestyle changes. American Heart Association. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartAttack/PreventionTreatmentofHeartAttack/Lifestyle-Changes_UCM_303934_Article.jsp. Accessed Sept. 7, 2010.
- Grogan M (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 22, 2010.
- Anderson CF (expert opinion) Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 8, 2010.
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