Symptom-first framework for low blood pressure. Confirm the measurement and perfusion state, stabilize while assessing, then sort hypotension into distributive, hypovolemic/hemorrhagic, cardiogenic, obstructive, medication, or endocrine physiology.
AllImmediate stabilizationDistributiveVolume / bleedingCardiac / obstructiveBack to Main Page
Interactive diagnostic assistant
Activate the assistant to re-rank likely hypotension causes from bedside clues.
Vitals / perfusion
Distributive clues
Volume / bleeding clues
Cardiac / obstructive clues
Meds / endocrine
Likely causes from entered data
Recommended next labs, imaging, and diagnostics
Flowchart
First pass
Low BP is a number; shock is a perfusion problem
Confirm cuff / arterial-line accuracy, compare with baseline, and assess mentation, skin, urine output, lactate, creatinine, and symptoms.
↓
Immediate stabilization
Stabilize while classifying physiology
Bedside assessment, repeat BP/MAP, IV access, labs, ECG, POCUS, cautious fluids when appropriate, vasopressors / ICU if shocky.
Distributive
Sepsis common
Sepsis / vasodilatory shock
Fever, source, lactate rise, warm extremities early, organ dysfunction.
Exposure-driven
Anaphylaxis / inflammatory vasodilation
Hypotension plus urticaria, wheeze, angioedema, GI symptoms, or medication/food exposure.