What defines hypovolemic shock?

Hypovolemic shock is primarily characterized by a significant loss of fluid volume, which leads to a decrease in blood volume and subsequently results in inadequate circulation and perfusion of tissues. This condition can occur due to various reasons, including severe dehydration, excessive hemorrhage, or other types of fluid loss. When fluid volume decreases, the heart struggles to maintain blood pressure and ensure that organs receive sufficient oxygen and nutrients, leading to the clinical manifestations associated with shock.

In contrast, increased blood pressure is typically not a feature of hypovolemic shock; rather, individuals often exhibit low blood pressure due to insufficient blood volume. Fluid volume overload refers to an excess of fluid, which contradicts the definition of hypovolemic shock. Sepsis resulting from infection is a separate condition that pertains more to distributive shock caused by systemic inflammatory response rather than hypovolemic shock specifically, which is strictly related to a reduced volume of circulating blood.