Hypovolemic shock is an emergency condition in which severe blood and fluid loss makes the heart unable to pump enough blood to the body. This type of shock can cause many organs to stop working.

Losing about 1/5 or more of the normal amount of blood in your body causes hypovolemic shock.

Blood loss can be due to bleeding from cuts or other injury or internal bleeding such as gastrointestinal tract bleeding. The amount of blood in your body may drop when you lose too many other body fluids, which can happen with diarrhea, vomiting, burns, and other conditions.

The greater and more rapid the blood loss, the more severe the shock symptoms.

• Rapid pulse
• Pulse may be weak (thready)
• Rapid breathing
• Anxiety or agitation
• Cool, clammy skin
• Weakness
• Pale skin color (pallor)
• Sweating, moist skin
• Decreased or no urine output
• Low blood pressure
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness

An examination indicates the presence of shock. There is usually low blood pressure, rapid pulse, and low body temperature.

Tests that may be done include:

• CBC
• CT scan or an x-ray of suspected areas
• Endoscopy
• Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
• Right heart (Swan-Ganz) catheterization -- can help tell the difference between hypovolemic and another type of shock called cardiogenic shock