Final answer:
Acute coronary syndrome involves conditions with sudden reduced blood flow to the heart, such as myocardial infarction or heart attack. It arises mainly from coronary artery disease due to blockages caused by atherosclerotic plaque, leading to serious complications if untreated.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acute coronary syndrome is a term used to describe a range of conditions associated with sudden, reduced blood flow to the heart. One such condition is a myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, which occurs due to the blockage of a coronary artery primarily by a buildup of atherosclerotic plaque. This blockage leads to ischemia (lack of blood flow) and hypoxia (lack of oxygen) to the heart muscle, resulting in the death of cardiac muscle cells. Symptoms may include chest pain, discomfort that may spread to other areas such as the shoulder or jaw, shortness of breath, and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the broader class of diseases that includes conditions such as angina and myocardial infarction, stemming from atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries. Left untreated, CAD can lead to serious complications such as heart arrhythmias, heart failure, and cardiac arrest.