Cardiovascular symptoms
Another salient attribute of anaphylaxis is involvement of the heart and blood vessels.
- Drop in blood pressure: One of the earliest signs in this aspect is decreased blood pressure.
- Weak and rapid pulse: the drop in blood pressure may also be manifested as a weak pulse and cold skin. However, the body’s mechanisms cause the heart to pump faster to compensate for decreased pressure. The pulse rate is higher in such case, and it is rapid when felt with the fingers.
- Arrhythmias: Due to the direct effect of anaphylactic mediators on blood vessels, heart may suffer indirectly, affecting its filling capacity and pumping ability. This may give rise to abnormal heart rhythms. The pumping of the heart may also become perceivable as a fluttering in the chest. This is called palpitations.
- Chest pain: Chest pain can be a manifestation of insufficient blood supply to the heart tissue itself. Chest pain can be a worrisome symptom in anaphylaxis, as it is a marker of some serious underlying heart pathology.
The chemical mediators act on blood vessels to cause leakage of fluid from these vessels into the surroundings. Decreased fluid in the vessels exerts a low pressure on the walls. On the other hand, the vessels supplying blood to the heart muscle become constricted, increasing the chance of a heart attack.