February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on cardiovascular health and raise awareness about heart-related conditions. For individuals undergoing surgery, understanding the relationship between heart health and anesthesia is essential. Whether you have a known heart condition or just want to be informed, knowing what to expect can help you feel more confident about your care. 

How Anesthesia Affects the Heart

Anesthesia plays a critical role in modern medicine, allowing patients to undergo procedures safely and comfortably. However, because anesthesia affects blood pressure, heart rate, and circulation, patients with heart conditions require special considerations. Below, we break down the key points to help you understand how anesthesia interacts with your heart. 

The Role of Preoperative Screening

Before your procedure, your anesthesia provider will conduct a preoperative assessment to evaluate your heart health. This may include: 

• Reviewing your medical history and medications 
• Checking for high or low blood pressure, arrhythmias, or past heart attacks 
• Ordering EKGs or other cardiac tests if needed 

This evaluation helps determine the safest anesthesia approach for you. Patients with heart conditions may need additional precautions, such as adjusting medications or undergoing further testing before surgery. 

Types of Anesthesia and Their Effects on the Heart

Different types of anesthesia can impact the heart in various ways: 

• General Anesthesia: Can lower blood pressure and slow heart rate, requiring careful monitoring. 

• Regional Anesthesia (Epidurals, Spinals, Nerve Blocks): Often safer for heart patients as they typically have less impact on heart function. 
• Sedation (Twilight Anesthesia): Used for minor procedures and tends to have minimal cardiovascular effects. 

Your anesthesia provider will select the best option based on your procedure and heart condition.

Managing Blood Pressure and Heart Rate During Surgery

During surgery, anesthesiologists and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) carefully manage your vital signs to keep your heart safe. They may use medications to: 

• Stabilize blood pressure if it drops too low or spikes too high 

• Control heart rate to prevent regular rhythms 
• Ensure proper oxygen levels to support heart function 

Advanced monitoring techniques allow anesthesia providers to detect and address any issues immediately.

Post-Surgery Recover and Heart Health

Recovery after anesthesia is just as important as preparation. Patients with heart conditions should: 

• Follow their doctor’s guidance on medications and activity levels 

• Watch for signs of complications, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or swelling 
• Stay hydrated and eat heart-healthy foods to support recovery

Good postoperative care can reduce the risk of complications and promote better healing.

Why Choosing the Right Anesthesia Provider Matters

Choosing a skilled anesthesia provider is crucial to ensuring safe anesthesia management for patients with heart conditions. Provider skills and patient commitment are vital to quality anesthesia and care. That’s where Grasshopper Anesthesia excels.

Expert Anesthesia Care with Grasshopper Anesthesia

At Grasshopper Anesthesia, patient safety is the top priority. Our team of experienced CRNAs specialize in providing personalized, high-quality anesthesia care while ensuring optimal heart health management. With no on-call scheduled, weekends, or holidays, our providers are well rested and able to focus on the best care possible. Contact us to learn more about our expert, patient-centered care.