In neurogenic shock, what is the expected heart rate?

In neurogenic shock, the expected heart rate is typically normal or slow. This condition is characterized by a disruption in the autonomic nervous system, particularly affecting the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for increasing heart rate in response to stress or injury.

The loss of sympathetic tone leads to vasodilation and a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance. Consequently, the body may not respond to hypotension with tachycardia as seen in other forms of shock, such as hypovolemic or cardiogenic shock. Instead, the heart rate can remain normal or even slow down due to a lack of the usual compensatory mechanisms that elevate heart rate in response to low blood pressure. Understanding this response is crucial for proper recognition and management of neurogenic shock in a trauma setting.