Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

shock, anaphylactic
See 
anaphylactic shock.
shock, cardiogenic
Shock due to low blood
output by the heart, most often seen in conjunction
with heart failure or heart attack (myocardial
infarction). In cardiogenic shock, the heart fails to
pump blood effectively. For example, a heart attack
(myocardial infarction) can cause an abnormal,
ineffectual heartbeat (arrhythmia) with very slow,
rapid, or irregular contractions of the heart, impair-
ing the heart’s ability to pump blood and lowering
the volume of blood going to vital organs.
Cardiogenic shock can also be due to drugs that
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reduce heart function or an abnormally low level of
oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia) that may be
caused, for instance, by lung disease. Whatever the
cause of cardiogenic shock, the blood vessels con-
strict, and adrenaline-like substances are secreted
into the bloodstream, increasing the heart rate.
Treatment of cardiogenic shock is aimed at improv-
ing the heart’s function. Cardiogenic shock is
extremely serious. The mortality rate is over 80
percent.
shock, diabetic
See 
diabetic shock.
shock, electric
See 
electric shock.
shock, hemorrhagic
Shock due to serious loss
of blood. Symptoms include dizziness and loss of
consciousness. Treatment includes intravenous 
fluids and blood transfusion. See also 
shock, 
hypovolemic.
shock, hypovolemic
Shock due to a decrease in
blood volume from bleeding, loss of blood plasma
through severe burns, or dehydration. Symptoms
include dizziness and loss of consciousness. This is
the most frequent cause of shock. The primary
treatment for hypovolemic shock is prompt intra-
venous administration of fluid and blood transfu-
sion if necessary.