What is the impact of my condition on anesthesia?

If you have a cardiovascular condition such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or a history of heart attacks, it’s important to know that these conditions can influence how your body responds to anesthesia.

• High blood pressure (Hypertension): Anesthesia can sometimes cause fluctuations in blood pressure. If you have hypertension, your anesthesiologist will take extra care to monitor and manage your blood pressure throughout the procedure. They may adjust the type or dosage of anesthesia to keep your levels stable and avoid spikes or drops in blood pressure.
• Heart disease (Coronary artery disease, heart failure): If you have heart disease, your heart may be more sensitive to the effects of anesthesia, which can impact your heart rate and oxygen levels. Your anesthesiologist will carefully select anesthesia that minimizes stress on your heart and will monitor your cardiovascular system closely during surgery to ensure stability.
• History of heart attacks: If you’ve had a heart attack in the past, you may be at higher risk for complications during surgery. The anesthesiologist will assess your current heart function and may collaborate with your cardiologist to develop a safe anesthesia plan tailored to your needs.

What happens before my surgery? 

For patients with cardiovascular conditions, a thorough pre-surgery evaluation is essential to minimize risks and ensure optimal health for the procedure. Recommended evaluations might include:

• Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG): Checks your heart’s electrical activity to identify any irregularities that could affect how you respond to anesthesia.
• Echocardiogram: An ultrasound test that provides a detailed image of your heart, allowing your healthcare team to assess its function and detect any issues that might need attention before surgery.
• Stress test: If you have a history of heart disease or symptoms like chest pain, a stress test might be performed to evaluate how well your heart handles physical exertion, providing insight into how it might respond during surgery.
• Blood pressure monitoring: If you have hypertension, monitoring your blood pressure in the days or weeks leading up to surgery can help your healthcare team make any necessary medication adjustments.
• Medication review: Your doctor may adjust your current medications, especially blood thinners or heart medications, to reduce the risk of complications during surgery. This might include temporarily stopping or modifying certain medications under close supervision.