Eventually, the person can't sit up without passing out and may die. When shock results from excessive dilation of blood vessels, the symptoms are somewhat different. For instance, the skin may be warm and flushed, particularly at first. In the earliest stages of shock, especially septic shock, many symptoms may be absent or undetected unless they're specifically looked for. The blood pressure is very low.
Urine flow is also very low, and waste products build up in the blood.
If untreated, shock is usually fatal. If shock is treated, the outlook depends on the cause, other illnesses the person has, the amount of time before treatment begins, and the type of treatment given. Regardless of treatment, the likelihood of death from shock after a massive heart attack or from septic shock in an elderly patient is high. The first person to arrive on the scene should keep the victim warm and raise the legs slightly to facilitate the return of blood to the heart. Any bleeding should be stopped, and breathing should be checked.