2010 American Heart Association

S788 Circulation November 2, 2010
persist for longer periods of time (eg, longer than 15–20
minutes). The classic symptom associated with ACS is chest
discomfort, but symptoms may also include discomfort in
other areas of the upper body, shortness of breath, sweating,
nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Most often the patient will
Figure 1. Acute Coronary Syndromes Algorithm.
note chest or upper body discomfort and dyspnea as the
predominant presenting symptoms accompanied by diaphoresis,
nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. 17–19 Isolated diaphoresis,
nausea, vomiting, or dizziness are unusual predominant
presenting symptoms. 20 Atypical or unusual symptoms are
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