Acute and chronic management of cardiac care is significant because it manages a range of heart conditions that afflict millions of people worldwide. Acute cardiac care refers to the immediate treatment provided for life-threatening diseases, including cardiac arrhythmia, sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or heart attacks. This means that there must be fast intervention in order not to damage the cardiac tissue further and avoid complications in the patient. These generally range from the administration of medicines for managing cardiac activity to angioplasties like thrombolytic therapy and percutaneous coronary injection. Such settings are usually found in intensive care units, often being critical care units under medical and nursing care whereby significant monitoring of vital signs or heart rate and relevant figures is required. Early intervention in acute cardiac events enhances the survival chances of patients and reduces the long-term disability risk.

Conversely, chronic cardiac care is aimed at the continuous treatment of diseases such as chronic coronary artery disease, heart failure, and hypertension. This is medication, lifestyle adjustments, and follow-ups for assessment and change in treatment management. For example, a patient with coronary artery disease may need ACE-inhibiting drugs to lighten the workload of the heart. Beta-blockers can then be prescribed to normalize the blood pressure and heart rate. Diuretics will be necessary to reduce fluid buildup. Chronic cardiac care encompasses lifestyle changes to have a diet that is favorable to the heart, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking. Moreover, self-care practices and patient education enhance the outcomes and slow the progress of the disease.