Why has my Blood Pressure Changed After Surgery?

[Edman222]

Probably 10 months ago I finally was able to get my blood pressure under control after at least 15 years. I needed to take 3 different medications otherwise it was always high.

2 months ago I had surgery to remove gallbladder to rule out cancer and part of colon removed because of diverticulitis. I was told after surgery that my blood pressure tanked during the operation and they had to give me drugs to raise it.

During hospital stay I didn't need BP meds except I took one the last day because reading was a little high but I was also stressed trying to make sure I had everything I needed for discharge.

I was taking my meds as normal at home but I was getting really dizzy, extremities were falling asleep really easy and felt like I was going to fall over a few times. Took BP and it was 99/61. So for couple weeks now I haven't taken any medication and check BP twice a day and they have all been 120's over 70's or better.

Any clue how this is even possible? I was very fit when originally diagnosed with hypertension which was actually after having tonsils taken out. I weigh 90 more pounds now then I did then. I'm back to normal lifestyle I had before surgery.

Ever hear of anything like this?

[qmsmas]

Undergoing anesthesia can have an effect on your blood pressure. ... Recovery from anesthesia can hit people with high blood pressure harder as well. Factors such as body temperature and the amount of intravenous (IV) fluids needed during anesthesia and surgery can elevate blood pressure.Jan 9, 2018

[specialmom]

very interesting.  Really never knew things could get BETTER!  (not personally ever that lucky. ha)

[specialmom]

Wow, so your BP has righted itself post surgery?  That's pretty amazing.  Your post sparked me into reading about this.  I had no idea that gallstones are linked to heart disease.  https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/news/20160818/gallstones-linked-to-higher-heart-disease-risk#1 I really don't know if that has happened to you, but would that be awesome, or what?!  Now, I am one of those people that thinks that if you are going to discontinue a medication, you should do so with a doctor's knowledge.  so, I'd call your doctor to discuss all of this.  They currently are doing a lot o telemedicine so you can do it virtually and get guidance.  Please let me know what they say!!

[Edman222]

It's just so weird. I didn't even have gallstones either. They were worried because of size of a polyp. Turns out they weren't as big as ultrasound said.
So the morning after the low BP reading I called Drs office because my BP was normal and wanted to make sure it was ok to skip the meds. They said yes and that I should take BP readings twice a day for a week and call them back with the numbers. I called them back and gave the numbers and they said they were good and not to change a thing. I asked nurse if she had a guess why this happened and she thought maybe I was in a lot of pain before surgery which is what nurse in hospital thought too. But I wasn't in a lot of pain before surgery and certainly not in a lot of pain for so many years. In fact for last couple weeks I've been in pain and 90% sure my colon is inflamed. Feels like diverticulitis and my WBC is elevated and my BP is still normal. I was prediabetic before surgery and my A1C is normal now too.

[specialmom]

You know, medical things rarely work out in my favor like this did for you!  I'm really happy for you.  I am sure you are having a hard time trusting it.  Wish I knew the phenomenon  that caused these health parameters to change in a positive direction. What about inflammation?  I always wonder if that affects things within my body negatively and your surgery maybe changed that dynamic?  That's an uneducated stretch.  

Sorry about your colon issue!  Still going on?