Cardiogenic shock
- Article
- 2021-02-01
The most common cause of cardiogenic shock is heart attack. Other health problems that can lead to cardiogenic shock include heart conditions such as heart failure; injuries to the chest; side effects of medications; and conditions that prevent blood from flowing freely through your heart, such as a blood clot in the lungs.
Without oxygenated blood reaching the brain and other vital organs of the body, your blood pressure will drop, your heart rate will slow, and you may experience confusion, loss of consciousness, sweaty skin and rapid breathing.
Treatment is aimed at restoring blood flow and protecting organs from damage. Options include medications, heart procedures and surgeries, and medical devices. Some people may require a heart transplant or a permanently implanted device to maintain blood flow after cardiogenic shock. If cardiogenic shock was caused by problems with the lungs or side effects from medications, your doctor will treat those problems. If not treated quickly, cardiogenic shock can lead to life-threatening organ failure or brain damage.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of cardiogenic shock vary depending on how fast and how low your blood pressure falls. Cardiogenic shock may start with mild symptoms, such as feeling confused or breathing rapidly, or a person may have no symptoms and then suddenly lose consciousness. Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening emergency. Complications can include organ damage or organ failure.
Therapy
Cardiogenic shock is life-threatening and requires prompt diagnosis and identification of its cause, and emergency medical treatment. Treatments include medicines, heart procedures, and medical devices to support or restore blood flow in the body and prevent organ damage.
Because cardiogenic shock is a serious medical condition that affects multiple body organs, a team of medical specialists usually provide care. Some medical devices can be used temporarily to stabilize or support you until a permanent device can be implanted or until a heart transplant can be performed.
For people with severe organ damage and may not survive cardiogenic shock, palliative or hospice care can help them have a better quality of life with fewer symptoms.
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