What is the hemodynamic characteristic of heart rate in distributive shock?

In distributive shock, there is a significant decrease in systemic vascular resistance due to the vasodilation that occurs, often associated with conditions such as septic shock or anaphylactic shock. This drop in vascular resistance leads to a compensatory increase in heart rate as the body attempts to maintain adequate cardiac output and perfusion to vital organs.

A normal or low heart rate may not provide sufficient output to overcome these low systemic vascular pressures. Therefore, the body responds by increasing the heart rate to sustain blood flow, which is a typical hemodynamic finding in distributive shock. The heart rate becomes elevated as a compensatory mechanism to counteract the effects of vasodilation and ensure that blood continues to circulate effectively.