Cardiogenic Shock

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.

What are the stages of cardiogenic shock?

Cardiogenic shock stages range from being at risk to being very ill. Stages are:

• At risk (A): Heart disease, such as heart attack or heart failure, but no signs of shock.
• Beginning (B): Low blood pressure or heart rate.
• Classic (C): Need for medicine or devices to help get blood to organs.
• Deteriorating (D): Not responding to medicine or devices and getting worse.
• Extremis (E): Cardiac arrest that needs CPR, ventilator and defibrillator.

How common is cardiogenic shock?

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.