Final answer:
Acute coronary syndrome is primarily caused by ischemia, which is often a result of atherosclerosis in the heart's coronary arteries, leading to symptoms like chest pain and heart attacks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acute coronary syndrome is a group of symptoms caused by ischemia. Ischemia refers to the restriction of blood flow to tissues, causing a shortage of oxygen and nutrients needed for cellular metabolism. The most common cause of ischemia in the heart is atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the build-up of plaque within the walls of arteries.
As coronary arteries become occluded, the blood supply to the heart muscle (myocardium) is compromised, leading to symptoms of acute coronary syndrome, which may include angina pectoris (chest pain) and myocardial infarction (heart attack). Atherosclerosis is mainly caused by risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, lack of exercise, and high blood cholesterol.