Acute Coronary Syndromes

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is most commonly caused by a heart attack (myocardial infarction) where blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked. This is usually caused by a blood clot from a ruptured coronary artery atherosclerotic plaque. Other causes include spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), which most commonly occurs in women. ACS is usually treated in a cath lab with angioplasty and the placement of a stent to prop the vessel open.

Women face a higher risk of heart failure, death after their first severe heart attack

Women were also seen less regularly by a cardiovascular specialist.

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New technique could reduce heart attack-induced heart failure

“The clinical implications of this discovery are significant,” one researcher said. 

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Marijuana use linked to worse outcomes for PCI, heart attack patients

PCI patients who used marijuana had an increased risk of bleeding events and stroke following the procedure.

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A paradox at work: Obese patients experience best ACS outcomes

Underweight patients, meanwhile, had the highest mortality rates following hospitalization for ACS. 

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Why metoprolol should be the beta-blocker of choice for heart attack patients

While metoprolol was linked with limiting infarct size, two other beta-blockers—atenolol and propranolol—were not associated with such improvements.

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Women receive less aggressive care, and are more likely to die, after heart attack-related cardiogenic shock

Overall, researchers found, women were less likely to undergo coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention and mechanical circulatory support than men.

A return to normalcy: Resuming sexual activity soon after a heart attack boosts survival

The study tracked nearly 500 patients for more than two decades. 

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Repeat heart attacks are down in the United States, especially among women

Recurrent coronary heart disease is also on the decline, according to a new analysis published in Circulation.