Cardiogenic shock is a condition that is often associated, but not always, with heart attacks. Learn more about this condition and what you can do to improve your heart health to lower your risk of heart attack and cardiogenic shock.
What is cardiogenic shock?
Cardiogenic shock is a dangerous condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough oxygenated blood throughout the body. This lack of oxygen can lead to organ damage or failure. It is a relatively rare condition, affecting approximately 40,000 to 50,000 people per year in the United States (for comparison, on average, 805,000 people in the United States experience a heart attack per year).
The good news is that the number of people who experience cardiogenic shock is decreasing, thanks to early heart disease interventions. However, the condition still poses serious risks to those who develop it—roughly half of all people diagnosed with cardiogenic shock die as a result of the condition.
What are the symptoms of cardiogenic shock?
Symptoms of cardiogenic shock include:
- shortness of breath or rapid breathing
- confusion, lack of alertness, or loss of consciousness
- rapid heartbeat or weak pulse
- cold hands or feet or clammy skin
- low urinary output
If you or someone you know are experiencing any of these symptoms, or those of a heart attack, seek medical attention immediately.
What causes cardiogenic shock?
Most often, cardiogenic shock is associated with a heart attack. Knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and how they may be different in women is key to helping to prevent or quickly treat cardiogenic shock.
A heart attack can result in a lack of oxygen flowing to the ventricles of the heart, which is the part of the heart responsible for pumping blood throughout the body and to the lungs.
Other potential causes of cardiogenic shock include:
- myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle
- endocarditis, or an infection of the heart valves and lining
- heart failure, or long-standing weakening of the heart muscle
What are the risk factors for developing cardiogenic shock?
Risk factors for cardiogenic shock include:
- age - people over 75 have an increased risk
- medical history - people who have had heart attacks or other heart disease are more at risk
- medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity
- a history of smoking
Some of these risk factors can be lessened through lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, managing conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure with your primary care provider, and being physically active.
How is cardiogenic shock diagnosed?
A cardiogenic shock diagnosis typically starts in the hospital. A doctor or other member of the care team will check for symptoms of shock and then perform tests. These tests can include:
- blood pressure checks
- electrocardiogram and echocardiogram
- chest x-ray
- coronary angiography and cardiac catheterization
- laboratory blood tests
How is cardiogenic shock treated?
Treatment in the hospital can vary depending on the severity of the shock. While early detection is key to lowering mortality rates, shock can progress quickly to a more severe case if not treated appropriately.
Medications may be administered intravenously after an initial diagnosis. These can include vasopressors and inotropes to help raise blood pressure and keep oxygenated blood pumping throughout the body; aspirin to thin the blood; antiplatelet medication to keep new clots from forming; or medications to help remove any excess fluid building up within the body.
Surgery options may include angioplasty (also known as percutaneous cardiac intervention or PCI) or coronary artery bypass surgery. Medical assistive devices such as an invasive mechanical ventilator, renal replacement therapy, and mechanical circulatory support devices may also be needed to help restore the flow of oxygen to parts of the body.
Can cardiogenic shock be prevented?
Cardiogenic shock cannot be prevented on its own, but since it is mostly an outcome of a heart attack and other heart disease, taking steps to improve your heart health can help. These steps include:
- Eating heart-healthy foods by following programs such as the Mediterranean diet or DASH diet.
- Limiting or avoiding alcohol and smoking.
- Making time for moderate exercise, at least 150 minutes per week.
- Managing related conditions, such as diabetes, with your primary care provider.
- Sleeping seven to nine hours each night.
If you have had a heart attack or other heart disease, work with your primary care provider and cardiology care team to improve your cardiovascular health.
Find a Doctor
