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Types Of An Acute Coronary Syndrome

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Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction There are three different types of an acute coronary syndrome. There is unstable angina, a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and there is a ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). A STEMI and NSTEMI are both deciphered as a myocardial infarction, or better known as a heart attack. The difference between the two is that a STEMI is a fully blocked coronary artery, and a NSTEMI is a partially blocked one. “A heart attack occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is reduced or cut off” (Heart Attack, 2017). The acute coronary syndrome, NSTEMI, will be discussed in this paper including these topics: description of the condition, medical/surgical treatment, …show more content…

Complications of diabetes such as cardiovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, stroke, renal disease, and atherosclerosis all can be leading factors to having a heart attack (Heart Attack, 2017). Signs and Symptoms Everyone who has a NSTEMI, their signs and symptoms (s/s) can vary. Symptoms are what a patient experiences. Chest discomfort or pain can be felt with most heart attacks. This discomfort is usually “…in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable chest pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain” (Heart Attack, 2017). Besides the chest, there can be other areas of discomfort. Per AHA from the article Heart Attack in 2017, this pain can radiate to neck, back, jaw, one or both arms/shoulders, or even to the stomach. Another telltale symptom that a patient complains of would be shortness of breath, and this could be with or without pain. What is detected by someone else such as the caregiver are signs. Signs of having a non-ST-elevation MI could include diaphoresis, dizziness, or nausea. Looking further into signs of a NSTEMI would be at diagnostic tests. Common confirming signs include, but are not limited to: electrocardiogram changes (ST depression, transient ST elevation, or new T-wave inversion) and elevation of cardiac biomarkers from

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