Introduction: The 10-Minute Challenge Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), including Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), is the leading cause of non-violent mortality and a crucial indicator of the quality of public health policies. Time is myocardium. The diagnosis of AMI must be confirmed by an Electrocardiogram (ECG) within ten minutes of the patient’s arrival at the hospital. It is in this scenario of high pressure and imminent risk that the role of Nursing is fundamental.
Authority Axis 1: Nursing as a Pillar of Immediate Care Care for patients with ACS requires rapid and coordinated intervention. Our work highlights that the nurse plays a crucial role that goes far beyond technical assistance:
- Protocol Leadership: The adoption of chest pain protocols facilitates efficient diagnosis and treatment, allowing for safe and rapid discharge for patients with non-cardiovascular symptoms and speeding up intervention for severe cases. The nurse is responsible for implementing and managing these workflows.
- Psychosocial Crisis Management: Patients with AMI often manifest nursing diagnoses related to anxiety, decreased cardiac output, and activity intolerance. The nursing team minimizes physiological and psychological alterations, providing a care plan that prioritizes emotional health and circulatory stability.
Authority Axis 2: Risk Factors and the Battle for Prevention ACS is often attributed to inadequate lifestyle habits, and the presence of two or more risk factors (such as smoking, hypertension, and diabetes) drastically increases the probability of developing the condition.
- Education Saves Lives: Many patients are unaware of the severity of ACS and do not adopt healthy lifestyles. Nursing must lead educational and preventive actions focused on behavioral changes to reduce the risk of infarction, especially considering that the prevalence is higher in men.
- Epidemiological and Political Vision: It is crucial to recognize that the highest mortality rate from AMI in Brazil was observed in the Northeast region, with diabetes mellitus being the factor most associated with this index. This reinforces the need for health policies that prioritize comorbidity control in vulnerable regions.
Conclusion: The nurse is the pillar of cardiovascular emergency care. By mastering protocols, managing multidisciplinary care, and leading health education, we ensure rapid diagnosis, effective treatment (such as coronary angioplasty or fibrinolysis), and, fundamentally, better outcomes for patients with ACS. This is our contribution to the advancement of global public health.
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