Diagnosing Acute Coronary Syndrome

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. If you suspect ACS, call an ambulance. At the hospital, tests may include the following:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)-measures the rate and regularity of your heartbeat; can show damage done to the heart muscle
• Blood tests to measure different enzymes that are released when cells in the heart muscle dies including:
  • Troponin test-considered the most accurate test; can determine if a heart attack has occurred and how much new damage was done to the heart
  • CK or CK-MB test-measures creatine kinase (CK) in the blood
  • Myoglobin test-checks for the presence of myoglobin in the blood
• Nuclear heart scan-radioactive tracers outline heart chambers and major blood vessels leading to and from the heart
• Cardiac catheterization -can determine pressure and blood flow in the heart's chambers, collect blood samples from the heart, and examine the arteries of the heart by x-ray
• Coronary angiography -produces images of blood flow through the heart; will show where there are blockages are
• Echocardiogram -a test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of your heart
• Chest x-ray -images of the inside of the chest to assess heart size and show lung congestion and the presence of pneumonia