Cardiogenic shock is a life-limiting condition that happens suddenly when your heart can’t pump enough blood to keep up with your body’s demand for it. A heart attack is the most common cause of cardiogenic shock. Without oxygen, your cells can’t function and can die. This can lead to organ failure and be fatal.
Cardiogenic shock is a serious condition that happens when your heart can’t supply enough oxygen-rich blood to your body to meet its needs. It can be fatal when a lack of oxygen causes your organs to fail.
This condition is an emergency situation that requires immediate treatment in a hospital.
Cardiogenic shock is most often caused by a heart attack or heart failure.
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Cardiogenic shock stages range from being at risk to being very ill. Stages are:
An estimated 40,000 to 50,000 people per year in the United States get cardiogenic shock.
Cardiogenic shock is the top cause of death in people who have a heart attack.
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It’s important to get immediate treatment if you have any symptoms of a heart attack, such as:
Chest pain that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. Your chest may feel heavy, tight, full or numb. You may feel pressure, aching, burning or squeezing. The pain may feel like heartburn. In some patients, especially women, chest pain isn't always the main symptom. Be alert for other signs listed below.
Other symptoms related to cardiogenic shock can include:
A heart attack is the most common cause of cardiogenic shock. A severe heart attack can damage your heart’s main pumping chamber (left ventricle). When this happens, your body can’t get enough oxygen-rich blood.
In rare cases of cardiogenic shock, it’s the bottom right chamber of your heart (right ventricle) that’s damaged. The right ventricle pumps blood to your lungs, where it gets oxygen and then goes to the rest of your body.
Other conditions that make your heart weak and can lead to cardiogenic shock include:
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Your healthcare provider will want to know your medical history, including symptoms you’re having that day or that you had recently. During a physical exam, they may find these signs of cardiogenic shock:
Several tests can help you find out if you have cardiogenic shock. These include:
Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening condition and you need emergency treatment. The most important part of treatment is improving the flow of blood and oxygen to major organs to avoid damage. Sometimes, this can be achieved with medications. In more severe cases, support devices may be needed to help your heart.
Treatment that begins in a hospital emergency room or intensive care unit may include:
Placement of a temporary monitoring line called a Swan-Ganz catheter, which is a special catheter that monitors the pressures inside your heart. This can help your healthcare team to closely follow your response to treatment. Medicines may include:
Once you’ve received immediate emergency treatment, additional treatment depends on the cause of your cardiogenic shock.
Many people who have a heart attack need angioplasty to open a blocked blood vessel. Complications from angioplasty are rare, but may include:
After angioplasty, people usually feel tired for a few days. But people who have angioplasty during/after a heart attack may need up to six weeks to recover from a heart attack. It’s very important to attend cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack to help with your recovery.
Several factors can increase your risk of heart disease, which can eventually lead to cardiogenic shock. Risk factors include:
Because a heart attack usually causes cardiogenic shock, getting immediate treatment for a heart attack is the best way to prevent cardiogenic shock.
See your healthcare provider to find out your risk of heart disease and take steps to improve your heart health. If you have coronary artery disease, it’s important to see your provider as recommended and follow all steps in your plan of care (medications, lifestyle changes, etc.).
The impact cardiogenic shock has on your life depends on how quickly you get treatment. The less time you’re in shock, the better. Less time in shock means less damage to your major organs. The risk of cardiogenic shock becoming fatal goes up along with the number of organs that aren’t getting enough blood.
Complications from cardiogenic shock may include:
Although the chances of surviving cardiogenic shock have improved over time, 50% to 75% of people don’t survive it. Without — and even with — treatment, the condition can be fatal.
Making changes to the way you live can make a difference in your heart health.
Changes you can make include:
After you have cardiogenic shock, you’ll need follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider. If you received a medical device to help your heart work better, you’ll need regular appointments to make sure your device is working right.
You should contact your healthcare provider if you start to have new symptoms.
Call 911 for an ambulance if you have heart attack or cardiogenic shock symptoms. Your treatment can start on the way to the hospital when you’re in an ambulance.
Both are forms of shock, which means your organs and tissues can’t get the oxygen they need. The causes are different for these life-threatening conditions, though. Heart attacks usually cause cardiogenic shock. Infections cause septic shock.
No, cardiogenic shock isn’t a heart attack. However, a heart attack is the most common cause of cardiogenic shock.
People with cardiogenic shock may experience:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
A lot of emotions can surface when you survive a heart attack and cardiogenic shock. It’s OK to talk with a counselor, friend or support group about what you’ve experienced. You may need to make some healthy lifestyle changes. Try focusing on one or two goals at a time, like improving your diet and walking 15 minutes a day. Then add other changes. Be sure to keep taking all medicines your healthcare provider prescribed for you. Going to follow-up appointments with your provider can help you stay on track with your recovery.
Last reviewed on 05/01/2022.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy