Hypovolemic Shock: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Hypovolemic Shock?
An emergency medicine doctor, who treats sudden and serious illness and injury, cares for hypovolemic shock. A critical care doctor, who looks after very sick people in the hospital, may also help. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is 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. Shock happens when not enough blood and oxygen can get to your organs and tissues. It causes very low blood pressure and may be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hypovolemic shock may include:
- Anxiety or agitation.
- Confusion.
- Cool, clammy skin.
- Pale skin color.
- Sweating and moist skin.
- Rapid breathing.
- General weakness.
- Decreased or no urine output.
- Unconsciousness, which means a lack of responsiveness.
A rapid heartbeat, a weak pulse, and cool hands and feet are also signs of shock. The greater and more rapid the blood loss, the more severe the symptoms of shock.
Causes and who gets it
Losing more than 15 to 20 percent of the normal amount of blood in your body causes hypovolemic shock. Blood loss can be due to bleeding from serious cuts, bleeding from other injuries, or internal bleeding, such as in the digestive tract. The amount of blood moving through your body can also drop when you lose too much body fluid. This can be due to burns, diarrhea, heavy sweating, or vomiting. Dehydration can also be a cause.
How a person does depends on how much blood or fluid was lost and how fast it was lost. It also depends on the illness or injury that caused the loss. Long-term health problems, such as diabetes and heart, lung, and kidney disease, can also affect how a person does. Older adults are more likely to have poor outcomes from shock.
How doctors diagnose it
A physical exam will show signs of shock. These include low blood pressure, low body temperature, and a fast pulse that is often weak.
Doctors may also order tests. These can include blood tests, such as kidney function tests. A CT scan, ultrasound, or x-ray may be done of areas that are known or suspected to be injured. An echocardiogram is a sound wave test of the structure and function of the heart. An upper endoscopy uses a tube placed in the mouth to the stomach. A urinary catheter is a tube placed into the bladder to measure urine output.
Treatment
Get medical help right away. While you wait, keep the person comfortable and warm. If you can see a wound that is bleeding, press firmly on it with a clean cloth. If blood soaks through, place another cloth on top and do not remove the first one. Have the person lie flat with the feet lifted about 12 inches (30 centimeters) to increase circulation. If the person has a head, neck, back, or leg injury, do not change their position unless they are in immediate danger. Do not give fluids by mouth.
The goal of hospital treatment is to replace blood and fluids. Intravenous (IV) lines are used to give blood, blood products, or fluids. Medicines such as epinephrine or norepinephrine may be needed to increase blood pressure and the amount of blood pumped out of the heart. Quickly treating the cause will reduce the risk of developing severe shock. Early first aid can help control shock.
In general, people with milder degrees of shock do better than those with more severe shock. Severe hypovolemic shock may lead to death, even with immediate medical attention.
When to see a doctor
Hypovolemic shock is a medical emergency. Call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Do not drive the person yourself, because a person in shock can get worse on the way. Get help right away, because shock is life-threatening. Signs of shock include pale skin, a weak pulse, rapid breathing, and little or no urine. Shock can lead to kidney damage, brain damage, and other organ damage.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can help you manage long-term health problems, such as diabetes and heart, lung, and kidney disease, that can affect how a person does after shock.
Common questions
How is hypovolemic shock different from other kinds of shock?
Hypovolemic shock is the kind of shock that happens when you lose a lot of blood or fluids. Septic shock is caused by infections in the bloodstream. Cardiogenic shock happens when the heart cannot pump blood effectively.
Can dehydration cause hypovolemic shock?
Yes, dehydration is one of the causes of hypovolemic shock. Burns, diarrhea, heavy sweating, and vomiting can also cause too much body fluid to be lost.
Can a person die from hypovolemic shock?
Yes, severe hypovolemic shock may lead to death, even with immediate medical attention. People with milder degrees of shock generally do better than those with more severe shock.
What should I do while waiting for help?
While waiting for help, keep the person comfortable and warm, and press firmly on any bleeding wound with a clean cloth. Have the person lie flat with the feet lifted. Do not give fluids by mouth. Call 911 first and do not wait.
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Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
