Cardiogenic Shock – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments!

Cardiogenic Shock – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments of this condition. Also, Cardiogenic Shock shock occurs when the heart  is severely damaged that it cannot supply enough blood to the vital organs of the body. As a result of the heart ‘s failure to pump enough nutrients to the body, blood pressure drops and organs can begin to fail.

Cardiogenic Shock is uncommon, but when it does occur, it is a serious medical emergency. According to the National Institutes of Health, almost no one has survived Cardiogenic Shock in the past. Today, over 50% of people who experience Cardiogenic Shock survive. This is due to improved treatments and faster recognition of symptoms.

However, the outlook is still very poor if Cardiogenic Shock is ignored and left untreated. You should contact your doctor right away if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of this condition.

Causes of Cardiogenic Shock: Cardiogenic shock is most commonly the result of a heart attack . During a heart attack , blood flow through the arteries is restricted or blocked completely. This restriction can lead to Cardiogenic Shock .

Other conditions that can cause Cardiogenic Shock include:

• Pulmonary embolism (sudden blockage of an artery in the lung);
• Pericardial tamponade (accumulation of fluid around the heart reducing its filling capacity);
• Sudden valvular regurgitation (damage to the valves that allow the backflow of blood );
• Rupture of the heart wall (due to increased pressure);
• Inability of the heart muscle to function properly (or in some cases);
• Ventricular fibrillation (an arrhythmia in which the lower chambers fibrillate or quiver);
• Ventricular tachycardia (an arrhythmia in which the ventricles beat too fast).

Drug overdoses can also affect your heart ‘s ability to pump blood and can lead to Cardiogenic Shock .

Symptoms of Cardiogenic Shock: Symptoms of Cardiogenic Shock can appear very quickly. Symptoms can include the following:

• confusion and anxiety
• Sweating and cold extremities (fingers and toes)
• Fast but weak heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Low or absent urinary output (oliguria)
• Fatigue due to hyperventilation
• sudden shortness of breath
• Eat if measures are not taken in time to stop the shock

It is vital to call an emergency medical team as soon as possible if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. The sooner the condition is treated, the better the outlook.

Risk Factors for Cardiogenic Shock: Risk factors for cardiogenic shock include:

• Previous history of myocardial infarction ( heart attack );
• Plaque buildup in the coronary arteries (arteries that supply blood to the heart );
• Long-term valvular disease (disease that affects the valves of the heart ).

Diagnostics of Cardiogenic Shock: If you see someone suffering from a heart attack or believe they may be having a heart attack , get medical help right away. Early medical attention can prevent Cardiogenic Shock and lessen damage to the heart . The condition can be fatal if left untreated.

To diagnose Cardiogenic Shock , your doctor will complete a physical exam. The exam will measure your pulse and blood pressure. Your doctor may order the following tests to confirm the diagnosis:

• Blood Pressure Measurement: This will show low values ​​in the presence of Cardiogenic Shock .
• Blood Tests : Blood tests can indicate if there has been serious damage to heart tissue. They can also tell if there has been a decrease in oxygen values. If the Cardiogenic Shock was due to a heart attack , there will be more enzymes linked to heart damage and less oxygen than normal in your blood .
• Electrocardiogram: This procedure shows the electrical activity of the heart . The test may show arrhythmias (irregular heart rates), such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. These can be the cause of Cardiogenic Shock . An EKG may also show a racing pulse.
• Echocardiography: This ultrasound image of the heart ‘s structure and activity provides an image that shows blood flow . It may show an immobile part of the heart (as in a heart attack ) or it may point to an abnormality with one of your heart ‘s valves .
• Swan-Ganz Catheter: This is a specialized pulmonary catheter that is inserted into the heart to show its pumping activity. This should only be done by a trained Intensive Care Unit or Cardiologist.

Cardiogenic Shock Treatments: To treat Cardiogenic Shock , your doctor must find and treat the cause of the shock. If a heart attack is the cause, your doctor may give you oxygen and then insert a catheter into the arteries that supply your heart muscle to remove the blockage.

If an arrhythmia is the underlying cause, your doctor may try to correct the arrhythmia with electric shock. Electric shock is also known as defibrillation or cardioversion. Your doctor may also give you medications and fluids to improve your blood pressure and increase the amount of blood your heart pumps.

Prevention of Cardiogenic Shock: Preventing its root causes from occurring is key to preventing  Cardiogenic Shock . This includes hypertension, smoking, obesity and high cholesterol levels. If you have a previous history of heart attack , your doctor may prescribe medications that can help prevent Cardiogenic Shock .

People with high blood pressure or a previous history of heart attack should keep their blood pressure  under control and use medications as instructed by their doctors. Obese people should exercise regularly and try to lose weight. People with high cholesterol should reduce the fat intake in their diet. Smokers should try to quit smoking.

Most importantly, call 911 or visit an emergency room right away if you have a heart attack or any of the symptoms associated with Cardiogenic Shock . Your doctors can help prevent Cardiogenic Shock , but only if you get the medical care you need.