Acute coronary syndrome

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Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) occurs when a plaque inside a coronary artery suddenly ruptures and blocks blood flow to the heart muscle, depriving the heart of oxygen-rich blood and causing unstable angina (a type of chest pain) or a heart attack. The amount of time blood flow is blocked and the extent of heart damage determine which type of ACS occurs, but it is always considered a life-threatening condition.

Author:Robin Parks, MS
Medical Review:Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology
Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition
Last Updated: 01/08/2008

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