Med. praxi. 2026;23(4):250-254 | DOI: 10.36290/med.2026.030

Acute coronary syndromes in the general practitioner's office: diagnosis, first steps, and follow-up care

MUDr. Radomír Nykl, Ph.D., MUDr. Petr Zdráhal, prof. MUDr. Mgr. Alan Bulava, Ph.D., FESC

I. interní klinika - kardiologická, Fakultní nemocnice Olomouc a Lékařská fakulta Univerzity Palackého v Olomouci

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) represent one of the most critical cardiovascular situations that a general practitioner (GP) can encounter in daily clinical practice. Given the high risk of mortality and the development of severe complications, such as cardiogenic shock or malignant arrhythmias, the GP plays an indispensable role in the initial detection, urgent triage, and immediate management of the patient. This article provides a comprehensive overview of ACS management in primary care, reflecting the current European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines and the specific conditions of the healthcare system in the Czech Republic. Special emphasis is placed on minimizing time-to-treatment delays, the rational use of biochemical markers, immediate pharmacotherapy in the office or pre-hospital care, and subsequent comprehensive secondary prevention following discharge from a cardiovascular center.

Keywords: acute coronary syndrome, electrocardiogram, troponin, heparin and dual antiplatelet therapy, secondary prevention.

Received: June 26, 2026; Accepted: July 15, 2026; Published: October 14, 2026  Show citation