Hypovolemic shock

Hypovolemic shock is an emergency condition in which severe blood or other fluid loss makes the heart unable to pump enough blood to the body. This type of shock can cause many organs to stop working.
Hypovolemic shock is a medical emergency; if left untreated, insufficient blood flow can cause damage to organs, leading to multiple organ failures.
Symptoms

Low blood pressure

common

Rapid heart rate

common

Abnormally rapid breathing

common

Fatigue

common

Bluish discoloration of the skin

  • Lips, In hand, In feet

or Cold hands or feet

common

Dizziness

  • After standing up quickly

common

Decreased urine

common

Muscle cramps

common

Confusion

or Lack of concentration

or Feeling agitated

common

Risk factors

Dehydration

Diarrhea

Car accident

or Recent abdominal injury or trauma

or Recent injury or trauma in lower leg without ankle and feet

or Head injury

or Recent pelvic injury or trauma

Recent pelvic or lower abdominal surgery

or History of vascular surgery

or Abdominal surgery

or History of orthopedic surgery

Throwing up

  • Blood in vomit

Stomach ulcer or gastritis

Postpartum

  • Bleeding

Kidney failure or on dialysis

Tear in aorta

or Balloon-like bulge in the aorta

Blood from vagina not from period

Recent genital injury or trauma at the vaginal opening

Burns

An abnormal focal dilation of an artery in the brain

Treatment
Get medical help right away. In the meantime, follow these steps: 1-Keep the person comfortable and warm (to avoid hypothermia). 2-Have the person lie flat with the feet lifted about 12 inches (30 centimeters) to increase circulation. However, if the person has a head, neck, back, or leg injury, do not change the person's position unless they are in immediate danger. 3-Do not give fluids by mouth. 4-If person is having an allergic reaction, treat the allergic reaction, if you know how. 5-If the person must be carried, try to keep them flat, with the head down and feet lifted. Stabilize the head and neck before moving a person with a suspected spinal injury. 6-The goal of hospital treatment is to replace blood and fluids. An intravenous (IV) line will be put into the person's arm to allow blood, blood products, or fluids to be given. Note: Medicines such as epinephrine or norepinephrine may be needed to increase blood pressure and the amount of blood pumped out of the heart (cardiac output).
Recommended specialist

If you have Hypovolemic shock, then a visit to an emergency medicine specialist as soon as possible.

Contact an

Emergency medicine specialist

Products

Collaborator

Cowriter

Coder

Book a demo

Research

Research at Avey

AI research projects

Benchmarks

Publications

APIs

APIs overview

Company

Who we are

Careers

Media center

Support

Contact us

Copyright © Avey 2026

HIPAA Compliant