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Obesity
Excess weight can make it more challenging to safely administer anesthesia, introducing potential problems with locating veins, determining dosage, and ensuring you get enough oxygen.
Certain health factors can increase surgery and anesthesia risks. Anesthesiologists help lower these risks by examining your medical history and conducting a health assessment before surgery, and by monitoring and supervising your care during and after surgery.
Risk Factors
Understanding potential risk factors will help you and your anesthesiologist prepare for a safer surgery.
Age
Some anesthesia side effects are more likely to occur in elderly patients, and aging-related health problems such as high blood pressure, clogged arteries, and lung disease can increase risk.
Smoking
Smoking can increase the risk of anesthesia-related complications during or after surgery. But quitting smoking before the procedure can help.
Sleep Apnea
Millions of people in the United States are affected by sleep apnea — millions more don’t realize they have it — and anesthesia can make the condition worse.
Anesthesia Awareness (Waking Up) During Surgery
Certain health conditions increase the potential for anesthesia awareness — recalling some aspects of the surgery while under general anesthesia, but usually without feeling pain.