Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Signal Acquisition, Score Interpretation, and Economics of a Non-Invasive Point-of-Care Test for Coronary Artery Disease
06:16

Signal Acquisition, Score Interpretation, and Economics of a Non-Invasive Point-of-Care Test for Coronary Artery Disease

Published on: August 9, 2024

Predictive Performance of the HEART Score for Acute Coronary Syndrome with Significant Coronary Stenosis in Patients

André Martins1, Mónica Amado1, Adriana Vazão1

  • 1Unidade Local de Saúde da Região de Leiria, E.P.E., 2410-197 Leiria, Portugal.

Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease
|July 27, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The HEART score effectively identifies acute coronary syndrome with significant coronary artery stenosis in emergency department patients with chest pain. This tool aids in early detection and guides invasive evaluation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Diagnostic Accuracy

Background:

  • Chest pain is a primary reason for emergency department visits.
  • Accurate diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is critical.
  • The HEART score's utility in identifying ACS with significant coronary artery stenosis (SCS) requires further study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the HEART score for ACS with SCS in patients presenting with acute chest pain.
  • To assess the HEART score's accuracy in identifying patients who require invasive coronary angiography.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 480 patients with non-ST-elevation chest pain.
  • Patients were categorized into ACS with SCS or non-ACS/ACS without SCS groups.
  • HEART scores were calculated, and diagnostic performance was assessed using sensitivity, specificity, and ROC analysis.

Main Results:

  • 34 out of 480 patients had ACS with SCS.
  • The HEART score showed high discriminative performance (AUC = 0.956).
  • At a cut-off of ≥6, the HEART score achieved 88.2% sensitivity and 87.9% specificity.

Conclusions:

  • The HEART score demonstrates strong diagnostic performance for identifying ACS with SCS in the emergency department.
  • It can support the early identification of patients needing invasive coronary evaluation.
  • The HEART score is a valuable tool for risk stratification in acute chest pain presentations.

Keywords:
HEART scoreacute coronary syndromechest paincoronary artery stenosis

More Related Videos

A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis18:11

A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis

Published on: December 28, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies

Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome or ACS begins with a thorough patient history. Notable symptoms include central, crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, along with shortness of breath, sweating (diaphoresis), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and palpitations.It is crucial to note any history of cardiac illnesses and assess risk factors, including age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a sedentary lifestyle.During physical examination, vital...
Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) encompasses a spectrum of heart conditions caused by sudden obstruction of coronary arteries, typically resulting from the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque and subsequent thrombus (blood clot) formation. This obstruction can lead to partial or complete blockage of blood flow, causing varying degrees of myocardial ischemia or infarction.ACS includes the following clinical entities:Unstable Angina (UA)Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)ST-Elevation...
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations01:19

Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

The pathophysiology of Acute Coronary Syndrome [ACD] involves several key processes:The main underlying cause of ACD is atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the buildup of lipid-laden plaques within the coronary arteries.As the atherosclerotic plaque grows in the coronary artery, it may become unstable due to the formation of a lipid-rich core and a thin fibrous cap. Inflammatory cells within the plaque, such as macrophages, secrete enzymes that degrade the...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT01:25

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT

Calcium-Scoring CT ScanA calcium-scoring CT scan, also known as coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan, detects calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. This test assesses the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to cardiovascular events such as angina, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest.A calcium-scoring CT scan is generally recommended for individuals at intermediate risk of CAD without symptoms. It includes:Men aged 40-75 and women aged 50-75: Especially those with a...
Acute Coronary Syndrome V: Nursing Management01:26

Acute Coronary Syndrome V: Nursing Management

Nursing Assessment:Nursing management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) involves taking the patient's history, focusing on primary complaints such as chest pain, dyspnea, and excessive sweating (diaphoresis), as well as other symptoms like back or jaw pain, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, dizziness, and fatigue. The nurse also reviews the patient's history of cardiac events, risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, family history, and current medications.In the objective assessment,...
Exercise Stress Test01:26

Exercise Stress Test

Introduction
Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes