Abnormal EKG and High Blood Pressure Before TT? (photo)

Hello! Thank you for your question! There are a few medical comorbidities that contribute to a higher risk during any surgical procedure including infections, wound complications, delayed wound healing, bleeding, anesthetic risks, etc. Hypertension is one that is known to have an increased risk during a procedure. There are a number of both systemic and local host factors that can contribute to high blood pressure. Hypertension itself is not a true contraindication to having any surgical procedure, but it should always be controlled. Risks that coincide with high blood pressure, such as coronary artery disease, pulmonary issues, varicosities, etc. can certainly be worrisome as the risk for other issues including MI, stroke, etc. can be severe. Complications such as bleeding and postoperative hematomas may be increased and hemostasis obtained well. That being said, well-controlled high blood pressure should equate a minimal increased risk for the above and surgical procedures still safe and a reasonable decision. You should ensure adequate blood pressure control always, but also obtain medical clearance from your primary care physician that you are at an acceptable risk for undergoing a surgical procedure. For elective or aesthetic procedures, your surgeon may want to get you to a baseline level prior to consideration for a procedure. Discuss all of your medical comorbidities and medication with your surgeon prior and discuss these risks. Also, discuss this with your anesthesiologist as proper monitoring and medications will be watched closely. This procedure should still be very safe for you and hope for an uncomplicated course with an excellent result! Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

Your surgeon is doing the right thing having you see a cardiologist prior to surgery. You question does not specify how high your blood pressure is and what your EKG showed, but the cardiologist should be able to sort it out and make sure you have a safe operation.

 

Thank you for your question. It is not likely that your EKG was abnormal from ‘just excitement & nervousness”. Occasionally, your blood pressure can be SLIGHTLY elevated due to stressors (like excitement), but this would not be the cause for an abnormal EKG. Our patients are required to get blood work (CBC & CMP) prior to elective procedures to ensure they are healthy enough to undergo a procedure. This is done to ensure the safety of our patients. Our patients are also required to stop all medications & supplements (other than those medically necessary). In your situation, the best thing to do now is to see a cardiologist for a full evaluation to ensure you can safely undergo this procedure.

 

Please note that this response or any answer provided here does not constitute medical advice, patient-doctor relationship, or a replacement for a local visit with a licensed medical professional. All feedback is for information and entertainment purposes only.

Stop the phentermine.  I don't allow my surgery patients to take active wt loss drugs.  Make sure you get surgical clearance from your pcp and probably cardiologist.  A tt is elective and you want to only have surgery under the best possible circumstances.  Good luck!  Dr K

    The high blood pressure may be episodic and due to nervousness, but you can determine if there is any validity to this by taking your blood pressure at home or at the drug store.  The cardiologist will give you the proper evaluation and make a decision about your high blood pressure as well.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA