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By Mayo Clinic staffAcute coronary syndrome is often diagnosed in emergency situations, and your doctor will perform a number of tests to figure out the cause of your symptoms. Your doctor will talk to you throughout the process and tell you what tests are being performed.
If you're having chest pain regularly, tell your doctor about it. Your doctor will probably order several tests to figure out the cause of your chest pain. These tests may include a blood draw to check your cholesterol and blood sugar levels. If you need these tests, you'll need to fast for nine to 12 hours to get the most accurate results. Your doctor will tell you if you need to fast before having these tests.
Your doctor may also want to perform imaging tests to see your heart and the blood vessels leading to it to check for blockages.
- Acute coronary syndrome. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3010002. Accessed Feb. 7, 2008.
- Achar SA, et al. Diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. American Family Physician. 2005;72(1):119-126.
- Acute coronary syndromes: A national clinical guideline. National Guideline Clearinghouse. http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=10585. Accessed Nov. 7, 2007.
- Rackley CE, et al. The role of plaque ruptures in acute coronary syndromes. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 18, 2008.
- Ryan TJ, et al. Management of suspected acute coronary syndrome in the emergency department. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 18, 2008.
- Rosenson RS. Cholesterol lowering after an acute coronary syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 18, 2008.
