Acute Coronary Syndromes

In ACS patients, adequate control of risk factors is vital in order to prevent future events and complications.

Cholesterol, blood pressure and sugar levels will be checked while in hospital and appropriate medications initiated when necessary. 

The patient’s heart function will also be assessed during coronary angiography or by echocardiography while in the ward before discharged. If there is significant damage to the heart muscle which resulted in impaired heart function, medications like beta-blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) will be added in the hospital. If there is no contraindication, as these medications have been proven to prolong life in patients with poor heart function after a heart attack.

In patients with severely damaged heart muscle and who did not improve despite adequate treatment, an automated implantable cardiac defibrillator (AICD) may be required to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death.