Should I Take My Blood Pressure Medication Before Surgery?

Should I Take My Blood Pressure Medication Before Surgery?

High blood pressure is a chronic medical condition that wreaks havoc on your health. Luckily, you can make medications and lifestyle changes to lower your blood pressure and improve your health.

Staying on your medications is the only surefire way to keep your blood pressure in check. So what happens when you're about to undergo surgery, and you're requested to stop your medications?

If you need orthopaedic surgery, Dr. Brandon Downs and the team at Orthopaedic Specialists can help. Dr. Downs offers various forms of orthopaedic surgery and advises you on what medications to continue before surgery and which ones to stop.

Effects of high blood pressure on surgery

High blood pressure is a dangerous condition that leads to chronic issues over time. While high blood pressure is dangerous daily, it's even more so when undergoing surgery.

You must know the dangers of high blood pressure if you're having surgery with Dr. Downs. If you stop taking your medications, it can lead to severe complications during each stage of your procedure, including:

These risks increase if you don't control your blood pressure, even on medications. The best thing you can do before you consider surgery is talk to Dr. Downs about your concerns.

Before he schedules you for a procedure, Dr. Downs thoroughly evaluates your overall health to determine you're a good candidate. Even with high blood pressure, you can typically have surgery if you control it beforehand.

Should you keep taking your medication?

Before your procedure, our team directs you on what medications you can continue to take and which ones you should stop before surgery. For example, we advise you to stop taking aspirin up to a week before surgery to lower your risk of bleeding.

However, blood pressure medication is vital to your health and wellness before, during, and after surgery. In most cases, you should continue taking your blood pressure medications in the days leading up to surgery.

Certain medications work differently to control your blood pressure, so you should discuss your medications with our team before surgery. If you're on ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, Dr. Downs may want you to hold them for a day before surgery.

It's more dangerous to stop taking your medications in the days leading up to surgery. If you suddenly stop taking most blood pressure medications, it can cause your blood pressure to rise substantially during your procedure, putting you at risk for heart attack and stroke.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Shoulder Pain without Injury: 3 Common Causes

When shoulder pain strikes, it ruins your day, making it nearly impossible to do anything — but what happens if you don't have an injury? Read on to discover three causes of shoulder pain without an injury and what to do next.

Preparing for Surgery: Five Medications to Avoid

Getting ready for an upcoming surgery is a big deal, especially regarding your medications. Taking certain medicines before your procedure could result in a cancellation of your surgery. Read on to discover which medications to avoid before surgery.

How Soon Will I Feel the Effects of PRP Therapy?

PRP is an excellent form of regenerative medicine that utilizes your blood to stimulate new cells and tissue growth — but how long does it take to work? Read on to find out how soon you can feel the effects of PRP after an injection.

4 Effective Ways to Manage Post-Joint Replacement Pain

When joint replacement surgery is involved, it's common to have pain for the first several weeks after your procedure — but how do you manage it on your own? Read to learn about four effective pain management techniques after a joint replacement.

How to Prevent Blood Clots After Your Surgery

Any surgery is a big deal, especially regarding recovery. Blood clots are a real threat, especially after orthopaedic surgery. Read more to learn how to effectively prevent blood clots after surgery to ensure a safe and healthy recovery.