What Is the Significance of High Blood Pressure Following Surgery?

High blood pressure following a surgical procedure is also known as post-operative hypertension. It's not uncommon. However, it can be a dangerous condition that requires intervention from medical professionals.

Identification

• According the American Heart Association, high blood pressure is classified as a reading of 140 systolic over 90 diastolic. If you otherwise have normal blood pressure, readings at this level after surgery might require intervention from your doctor.

Causes

• Post-operative hypertension can be cause by several factors. The most common reason is uncontrolled pain. High blood pressure after surgery may also be the result of a higher volume of blood created during the procedure.

Prevention/Solution

• Doctors will use anti-hypertensive medications to control high blood pressure issues following surgery.

Considerations

• If you take blood pressure medication, make sure your surgeon is aware of it. The doctor may need to supplement your medication, because you will be unable to take it during the surgical procedure.

Warning

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure after surgery can be serious. It can result in organ damage, increased bleeding in the area of surgical trauma, and heightened risk of heart attack or stroke. For this reason, health care professionals will closely monitor your blood pressure after a surgical procedure.