Provided are methods for the detection and diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome or ACS. The methods are based on the discovery that abnormal levels of selected analytes in sample fluid, typically blood samples, of patients who are at risk are supportive of a diagnosis of ACS. At least two new biomarkers for ACS are thus disclosed, MMP-3 and SGOT. Altogether the concentrations of twelve analytes provide a sensitive and selective picture of the patient's condition, namely, whether the patient is suffering a heart attack. Other important biomarkers for ACS are described, including but not limited to IL-18, Factor VII, ICAM-1, Creatine Kinase-MB, MCP-1, Myoglobin, C Reactive Protein, von Willebrand Factor, TIMP-1, Ferritin, Glutathione S-Transferase, Prostate Specific Antigen (free), IL-3, Tissue Factor, alpha-Fetoprotein, Prostatic Acid Phosphatase, Stem Cell Factor, MIP-1-beta, Carcinoembryonic Antigen, IL-13, TNF-alpha, IgE, Fatty Acid Binding Protein, ENA-78, IL-1-beta, Brain-Derived Nerotrophic Factor, Apolipoprotein A1, Serum Amyloid P, Growth Hormone, Beta-2 microglobulin, Lipoprotein (a), MMP-9, Thyroid Stimulating hormone, alpha-2 Macroglobulin, Complement 3, IL-7, Leptin, and IL-6. Kits containing reagents to assist in the analysis of fluid samples are also described.