Cardiogenic shock Health Article

Definition

Cardiogenic shock is a state in which the heart has been damaged so much that it is unable to supply enough blood to the organs of the body.

Alternative Names

Shock - cardiogenic

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Shock occurs whenever the heart is unable to pump as much blood as the body needs.

The most common causes are serious heart complications. Many of these occur during or after a heart attack (myocardial infarction). These complications include:

• Dangerous heart rhythms, such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or supraventricular tachycardia
• Very slow heart rhythm (bradycardia) or heart conduction block
• Tear or rupture of the wall (septum) between the left and right ventricle
• Tear or rupture of the muscles or tendons that support the heart valves, especially the mitral valve
• A large section of heart muscle that no longer moves well or does not move at all
• Rupture of the heart muscle due to damage from the heart attack

Symptoms

• Profuse sweating, moist skin
• Rapid breathing
• Rapid pulse
• Restlessness, agitation, confusion
• Skin that feels cool to the touch
• Pale skin color or blotchy (mottled) skin
• Weak (thready) pulse
• Decreased mental status
  • Loss of ability to concentrate
  • Loss of alertness
• Coma