What Is hypovolemic shock?

According to MedlinePlus, hypovolemic shock is blood and body fluid loss so severe as to make the heart unable to pump enough blood to the body, which in turn causes many organs to stop working. Hypovolemic shock is an emergency condition.

Hypovolemic shock occurs when a person loses 20 percent or more of the body's blood, according to MedilinePlus. Blood circulation may drop to this level when a person loses too much fluid from cuts, other injuries or internal bleeding. Blood circulation may also drop due to loss of other bodily fluids due to burns, diarrhea, excessive sweating or vomiting. Symptoms of hypovolemic shock include anxiety, clammy or pale skin, confusion, decreased urine output, general weakness, fast breathing, sweating and loss of consciousness.