Acute Coronary Syndrome Overview
A heart attack, also known as acute coronary syndrome (ACS), results from a decrease of oxygen to the heart. This decrease in oxygen occurs when the arteries become narrow and hardened with plaque. This narrowing, known as coronary artery disease (CAD), prevents sufficient blood supply to the heart. Since blood carries oxygen to the heart, a heart attack will result when the heart does not receive enough blood over a prolonged period of time.1
According to the American Heart Association, it is estimated that in 2008 there will be 600,000 new cases of heart attacks and 320,000 cases of recurrent heart attacks. The average age of men suffering a heart attack is 64.5 years compared to 70.4 years for women. Men are more likely to experience a heart attack than women before the age of 75.2
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