What Happens When You Go Into Anaphylactic Shock?

What Happens When You Go Into Anaphylactic Shock? Nina Dobrev was hospitalized after going into anaphylactic shock. Her severe allergic reaction was chronicled by Dobrev's bestie Julianna Hough on Instagram. Fortunately, Dobrev is on the road to recovery. Anaphylactic shock is serious, and if not treated right away, it can be fatal. All anaphylaxis starts the same. First, the body floods the bloodstream with histamine. Histamine sends an influx of fluid into the body's soft tissues, causing swelling. In some cases, the swelling can cause suffocation. Anaphylactic shock is the extreme end of anaphylaxis. Too much swelling impairs blood flow, which can cause your blood pressure to drop and your heart rate to skyrocket. This "shock" can cause hypotension, arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest, which are fatal if not treated in time.