Will my surgery be cancelled because of my high blood pressure?

Question

I am scheduled for lipo on my lower stomach and under my chin next Wednsday. I am 27 years old, in good health, but I have high blood pressure for reasons my doctor cannot figure out. This has been an issue since I was 13, and I am not on blood pressure medication. They believe it is partly just because it runs in my family, combined with "white coat syndrome" ( I get extremely anxious around doctors) When booking my surgery my blood pressure wasn't taken. Will this be an issue?

Charles Galanis, MD · Answer

Without knowing the actual number or the chronicity of your high blood pressure, it is somewhat difficult to give you a satisfying answer.  As a matter of practice, most surgeons will check with a patient's primary care provider in determining whether the patient is a safe candidate for elective surgery.  Your primary care provider who has presumably been following you for your blood pressure as well ordering the appropriate diagnostic studies would be best positioned to discuss this with your surgeon.  You should absolutely make sure your primary care provider has communicated directly with your surgeon regarding this issue before proceeding.  Episodic hypertension is not a contraindication for surgery.  Severe hypertension which has not been adequately worked up may be a different story.  Hope this helps.  Good luck!

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

Your internist and your surgeon should speak so that everyone is on the same page. If the anxiety is situational, there are medications that you could take to treat the anxiety before surgery. Your surgeon is going to be the best one to make the call as to whether or not surgery is safe for you. Best, Dr. Nazarian

Rodger Shortt, FRCSC · Answer

Your surgeon and anaesthesiologist should know about this in advance.  It is always better to be safe when talking about elective surgery.  If you have particularly high blood pressure your GP will consider putting you on medications to lower it.Dr Rodger ShorttOakville Plastic SurgeonDirector of Cosmetic Surgery Training &Assistant Clinical Professor,McMaster University

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Because of anxiety many patients can have temporarily elevated blood pressure. Minor elevation of blood pressure is not a contraindication to surgery. Purchase a blood pressure monitoring device and check your blood pressure at home several times during the day over number of days. Record these and give them to your surgeon.

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

It could be an issue, you need to notify your surgeon. You might need to get clearance from a cardiologist. Good luck.

Michael Kreidstein, MD, FRCS(C) · Answer

You don't quantify how high your BP is, and the absence of a thorough investigation and treatment is curious.  You should notify your surgeon of your condition and hopefully they will determine its significance.

Mathew A. Plant, MD, FRCSC · Answer

It depends how high it is but you should speak with your surgeon ASAP rather than being cancelled day of surgery. Good luck!

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear.No, but I recommend you to visit a cardiologist, so he's going to be the one to say if you can do it or you may cancelled, so that is somthing that you need to discuss with your doctors. Best wishes :)

Gustavo E. Galante, MD · Answer

You have not stated what your blood pressure reading is currently. If it is truly elevated above normal, and it becomes well controlled with medication and appropriate evaluation, you should be able to undergo any procedure with a high degree of confidence it can be done safely.

Brenda Pache, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question, High blood presure could increase the risk of bleeding. It is important to have normal levels before to do the procedure. Many factors could  increase blood presure anxiety of the surgery is one of them. A good presurgical evaluation with your physician and surgeon will determinated the momment of surgery.All the Best!!Dr.Brenda Pache

Will my surgery be cancelled because of my high blood pressure?

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