What are common causes of vascular shock?

Vascular shock occurs when there is widespread vasodilation or a decrease in blood volume, leading to inadequate blood flow and oxygen delivery to vital organs. Septic shock and anaphylaxis are common causes of vascular shock, as both conditions involve significant changes in blood vessel function.

In septic shock, infections lead to a systemic inflammatory response, resulting in the release of various mediators that cause blood vessels to dilate. This causes a drop in blood pressure and can lead to organ failure if not rapidly addressed.

Anaphylaxis, an extreme allergic reaction, also causes widespread vasodilation and increased vascular permeability, which further reduces effective blood volume. The combination of these factors leads to a critical drop in blood pressure, manifesting as vascular shock.

While bleeding and heart attack can contribute to shock, they are not classified specifically as vascular shock. Bleeding leads to hypovolemic shock due to loss of blood volume, and heart attacks primarily result in cardiogenic shock, where the heart's ability to pump blood is impaired. Respiratory distress affects oxygenation but does not directly cause vascular shock in the same manner as septic shock or anaphylaxis.