CLINICAL ASSESSMENT AND RISK FACTOR OF ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME

Background: Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) remains a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in Pakistan. Understanding its clinical spectrum and associated risk factors is crucial for early diagnosis and prevention. Objective: To assess the clinical presentation, risk factor distribution, and demographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with ACS at a teaching hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the teaching hospital Sehwan between January and March 2024. A total of 110 adult patients admitted with a diagnosis of ACS were evaluated through interviews, clinical assessments, ECG, and laboratory investigations. Data were analyzed using SPSS, with results expressed in percentages, means, and associations tested using chi-square statistics. Results: The mean age of participants was 57.2 ± 10.6 years. Males accounted for 70.9% of the cases. ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) was the most frequent presentation (55.4%), followed by Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) (29.1%) and unstable angina (15.5%). The leading risk factors were hypertension (60.9%), diabetes mellitus (49.1%), smoking (45.5%), and dyslipidemia (38.2%). Delayed hospital presentation (>6 hours post-onset) was observed in 59.1% of patients. Conclusion: ACS predominantly affects middle-aged males in Pakistan, with traditional modifiable risk factors being highly prevalent. There is an urgent need to enhance community awareness, establish routine screening protocols, and improve early access to emergency cardiovascular care. Keywords: Acute Coronary Syndrome, STEMI, NSTEMI, risk factors and cardiovascular health