UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Cardiology

Title: predictors of ACS

Keywords: acute coronary syndrome, history (PubMed Search)

Posted: 2/10/2008 by Amal Mattu, MD (Updated: 3/28/2024)
Click here to contact Amal Mattu, MD

The 5 most important factors at predicting the presence of ACS in a patient presenting with chest pain (in order of importance):
1. nature of anginal symptoms (i.e. the HPI)
2. prior history of CAD
3. male gender
4. older age
5. increasing number of traditional risk factors

Notice this means that the MOST important factor is the HPI...the OLDCAAAR. If the patient has a concerning HPI, NEVER drop your concerns just because the patient is young or has minimal other risk factors.