The loss of blood can lead to serious complications. This can include death caused by the massive loss of blood, known as exsanguination. This most often occurs when half to two-thirds of the body’s blood is lost.
But there are other complications that can lead to death or permanent injury:
Shock
Shock is a medical emergency that occurs when the tissues in your body can’t get enough blood and oxygen. When it is due to a low volume of blood, such as caused by bleeding, it is referred to as hypovolemic shock.
Most often, the signs of shock (including clammy skin, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty breathing) occur when a person has lost between 10% to 15% of their blood volume.
Organ Failure or Damage
Some organs are more sensitive to blood loss and shock than others. With the heart and kidneys, for instance, the lack of blood flow causes tissues to quickly die, which is referred to as necrosis. This can reduce the function of these organs, often permanently, leading to organ failure.
The same can occur with brain bleeds, in which tissue death can lead to paralysis, vision loss, personality changes, memory loss, and problems swallowing.