Pennsylvania Nurse, Front Page 2017 Issue 1 | Page 19

Acute coronary syndrome is an
umbrella term used to cover a
group of signs and symptoms of
chest pain or acute myocardial
ischemia due to an insufficient
blood supply to the heart muscle
resulting from clogged arteries.
Clinical symptoms are classified
as unstable angina, stable angina,
a non-Q wave myocardial infarc-
tion (NONSTEMI), or an acute
myocardial infarction (STEMI).
Unstable angina, also referred to
as preinfarction angina or cre-
scendo angina, includes:
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An increase in frequency and
severity
Occurances while at rest,
while sleeping, or with little
exertion
Unexpected occurances
Severe episodes lasting up to
30 minutes
Symptoms that are not re-
lieved with rest or medication
Worsening symptoms
Signals of a possible myocar-
dial infarction
Stable angina includes:
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Signs that a heart muscle is
working too hard
Expected, predictable epi-
sodes
Episodes lasting less than five
minutes
Relief with rest or medication
A feeling of gas or indigestion
Chest pain radiating to arms,
back, and other areas
NONSTEMI is created from a
plaque rupture and coronary
thrombus that compromise blood
flow to the region of the myocar-
dium. STEMI is the necrosis of
region of the myocardium sec-
ondary to interruption of blood
flow to that region of the myocar-
dium. symptoms lasting two weeks to
one month preceding more acute
chest discomfort or severe short-
ness of breath.
Coronary heart disease (CHD)
is the leading cause of death
in women (Burell & Granlund,
2002). The chief risk factors that
predict CHD onset in women
are age, low-density lipoprotein
(LDL), high-density lipoprotein
(HDL) cholesterol levels, high
blood pressure, diabetes mellitus,
and smoking. However, there is
evidence that suggests that sex
shows a positive correlation to
CHD. Racial and ethnic disparities in
awareness are also important
risk factors. According to Heron
(2012), heart disease is the lead-
ing cau