What is circulatory failure?

Circulatory failure occurs when you go into medical shock, your blood pressure and blood flow have dropped so much that the blood is no longer pumped around as usual. Then the body does not get enough oxygen and nutrition. The condition can be life-threatening because the body no longer functions as it usually does. It is important that you act quickly and call for help if you think someone has been in shock or is at risk of going into shock. Anyone who ends up in medical shock must go to the emergency department at the nearest hospital as soon as possible. Call 112 immediately because it is urgent. You may experience one or more of the following symptoms if you experience shock:

• Fast and weak pulse
• Grey-pale and cold sweaty skin
• Bluish nails and lips
• Rapid and shallow breathing
• Anxiety and restlessness
• Thirst.

How to help someone who is in shock:

• Lay the person on their back with their legs high if they are conscious.
• Put the person in a stable side position if they are unconscious.
• Put a blanket or similar over the person so that they stay warm.
• Make the person feel calm around them.
• Do not give the person anything to eat or drink, because of the risk of getting it into the airways.
• Do not leave the person alone.