Which of the following is a key symptom of cardiogenic shock?

In cardiogenic shock, one of the primary physiological responses is a decrease in cardiac output due to the heart's inability to effectively pump blood, often leading to a lower heart rate (bradycardia). This condition can arise from various underlying problems, such as myocardial infarction or other types of heart failure, where the heart's muscle is damaged and unable to maintain adequate circulation.

While increased heart rate can sometimes be seen as a compensatory mechanism in other forms of shock or stress, cardiogenic shock often manifests differently. The body's sympathetic nervous system attempts to respond to decreased cardiac output, but if the heart is severely compromised, it may not be able to maintain an elevated heart rate, leading instead to a lower heart rate.

Cold skin signs may occur as a result of peripheral vasoconstriction in response to shock, but they are not as definitive a symptom of cardiogenic shock specifically. High blood pressure is also typically not associated with cardiogenic shock; instead, patients commonly present with hypotension as the heart fails to circulate blood effectively. Therefore, the presence of a lower heart rate aligns with the characteristic manifestations of cardiogenic shock.