Cardiogenic Shock
Diagnosis

Often the diagnosis of cardiogenic shock is made by the emergency medical team in the ambulance or at the hospital. These are some of the tests they may use to determine whether you had a heart attack and whether you have cardiogenic shock:

• Blood pressure measurements – Cardiogenic shock usually causes low blood pressure.
• Chest X-ray – The images provide information about your heart and blood vessels, and can reveal whether there is fluid in your lungs.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) – This test measures your heart's electrical activity.
• Echocardiogram – This ultrasound of the heart can show blockages in the arteries and how the blood is flowing.
• Blood tests – Various analyses can reveal whether the blood has too much carbon dioxide or too little oxygen (both signs of cardiogenic shock) and can check levels of tropinin, proteins that are released when heart muscle is damaged (as occurs during a heart attack).
• Cardiac catherization – This technique can be used to look for blocked areas in your arteries and to check the amount and pressure of blood that your heart is pumping with each beat.