Cardiogenic ShockSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Cardiogenic Shock
Cardiogenic shock takes place when the heart is unable to supply enough blood and oxygen to the organs of the body.
Shock - cardiogenic
The most common causes of cardiogenic shock are serious heart conditions. Many of these occur during or after a heart attack (myocardial infarction). These complications include:
- A large section of heart muscle that no longer moves well or does not move at all
- Breaking open (rupture) of the heart muscle due to damage from the heart attack
- Dangerous heart rhythms, such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or supraventricular tachycardia
- Pressure on the heart due to a buildup of fluid around it (pericardial tamponade)
- Tear or rupture of the muscles or tendons that support the heart valves, especially the mitral valve
- Tear or rupture of the wall (septum) between the left and right ventricles (lower heart chambers)
- Very slow heart rhythm (bradycardia) or problem with the electrical system of the heart (heart block)
- Diseases of the heart valves
Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart is unable to supply as much blood as the body needs. It can happen even if there hasn't been a heart attack. For example, if one of these problems listed above occurs and your heart function drops suddenly. Or if a valve becomes obstructed or if a combination of problems occurs.
Symptoms include:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Coma
- Decreased urination
- Fast breathing
- Fast pulse
- Heavy sweating, moist skin
- Lightheadedness
- Loss of alertness and ability to concentrate
- Restlessness, agitation, confusion
- Shortness of breath
- Skin that feels cool to the touch
- Pale skin color or blotchy skin
- Weak (thready) pulse
Cardiogenic shock is a medical emergency. You will need to stay in the hospital, most often in the Intensive or Coronary Care Unit (ICU). The goal of treatment is to find and treat the cause of shock to save your life.
You may need medicines to increase blood pressure and improve heart function, including one or more of:
- Dobutamine
- Dopamine
- Epinephrine
- Milrinone
- Norepinephrine
- Vasopressin
These medicines may help in the short-term. They are not often used for a long time.
When a heart rhythm disturbance (dysrhythmia) is serious, urgent treatment may be needed to restore a normal heart rhythm. This may include:
- Electrical "shock" therapy (defibrillation or cardioversion)
- Implanting a temporary pacemaker
- Medicines given through a vein (IV)
You may also receive:
- Pain medicine
- Oxygen
- Fluids, blood, and blood products through a vein (IV)
Other treatments for shock may include:
- Cardiac catheterization with coronary angioplasty and stenting
- Heart monitoring to guide treatment
- Heart surgery (coronary artery bypass surgery, heart valve replacement, left ventricular assist device)
- Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) to help the heart work better
- Pacemaker
- Ventricular assist device or other mechanical support
ColumbiaDoctors - Glenpointe
Hiroo Takayama is a Thoracic Surgeon and a General Surgeon practicing medicine in Teaneck, New Jersey. Dr. Takayama is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cardiogenic Shock. He is also highly rated in 29 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Cardiogenic Shock, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Aortic Dissection, Heart Transplant, and Lung Transplant. Dr. Takayama is board certified in Surgery, Cardiac Surgery, and Thoracic And Cardiac Surgery. Dr. Takayama is currently accepting new patients.
Rutgers Health-Rwj Scleroderma Program
Maya Guglin is a Cardiologist and a Transplant Surgeon practicing medicine in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Dr. Guglin is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cardiogenic Shock. She is also highly rated in 20 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Heart Failure, Cardiogenic Shock, Cardiomyopathy, Heart Transplant, and Lung Transplant. Dr. Guglin is currently accepting new patients.
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Ran Lee is a Cardiologist practicing medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Lee is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cardiogenic Shock. He is also highly rated in 24 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Cardiogenic Shock, Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Heart Transplant, and Bone Marrow Aspiration. Dr. Lee is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine, 2021. Dr. Lee is currently accepting new patients.
In the past, the death rate from cardiogenic shock ranged from 80% to 90%. In more recent studies, this rate has decreased to 50% from 75%.
When cardiogenic shock is not treated, the outlook is very poor.
Complications may include:
- Brain damage
- Kidney damage
- Liver damage
Go to the emergency room or call 911 or the local emergency number if you have symptoms of cardiogenic shock. Cardiogenic shock is a medical emergency.
You may reduce the risk for developing cardiogenic shock by:
- Quickly treating its cause (such as heart attack or heart valve problem)
- Preventing and treating the risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, or tobacco use
Summary: This is a prospective and retrospective multicentre study conducted under the scientific coordination of the IRCCS Fondazione Don Gnocchi and funded by the Italian Ministry of Health (PNRR-MCNT2-2023-12377767). Using the Altshock registry, the largest multicentre Cardiogenic Shock (CS) registry in Italy, which currently has registered more than 1,000 CS patients across Italy, we will recruit patie...
Summary: This study is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm clinical trial conducted in China to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel left ventricular assist device, SynFlow Duro system, manufactured by ForQaly Medical in the treatment of post cardiotomy cardiogenic shock.
Published Date: June 01, 2026
Published By: Thomas S. Metkus, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Bohula EA, Morrow DA. ST-elevation myocardial infarction: Management. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, et al, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 35.
Felker GM, Teerlink JR. Diagnosis and management of decompensated heart failure. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, et al, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 57.
McMurray JJV, Pfeffer MA. Heart failure: treatment and prognosis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024: chap 46.
Rogers JG, O'Connor CM. Heart failure: epidemiology, pathobiology, and diagnosis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024: chap 45.