Post Surgery Tachycardia

[georgiemeredith]

I had metalwork removed from my leg this morning at about 8:30am under general anaesthetic, just day surgery, my blood pressure after waking up was low and the staff were checking it constantly, but once it climbed to 105 (systolic) they let me go home. I felt alright when I came home, in a bit of pain, but now the thing that’s bothering me more than anything is my heart is pounding. It feels like it’s going to come out my chest, currently sitting at 93bpm lying down, when my usual is around 75-80, and bearing in mind I’ve taken 80mg propanalol (beta blocker) which slows my heart rate anyway, so without the propanalol I don’t even want to know what it would be! I have pretty bad health anxiety and I’ve been googling, which I now regret, and I’m just wondering if anyone on here could give me some sage advice? Please x

Phone the unit back and ask them for advice, hopefully they can put your mind at rest. If there no number to call at all then phone 111

It could be your body processing the anaesthetic but could also be signs of an infection. Give them a call and see what they recommend.

I was in a&e with tachycardia and hypotension last week when I got an infection and the flu. They panicked when my blood pressure was 90/50 and pulse 134 with a temp of 39c / feeling cold and sweating.

Once I had IV fluids / antibiotics for 24hrs I was discharged in a similar shape OP. It’s taken days and I still feel a bit off, main advice I got was to drink and keep drinking to bring my blood pressure up. Pulse wise it’s starting to come down, if you are worried give them a call. Is your temp normal? Not feeling hot or cold?

if you're worried you should get back in touch with the unit you had the surgery at or 111. No one on here can really provide any more sensible advice without knowing your medical history, exactly what operation you had/what drugs you were given, whether there are any particular complications in relation to the surgery/anaesthetic/your normal health to be looking out for etc. DOI FWIW: anaesthetist.

I would ring 111 or the surgical unit. If it helps OP, I had a pulse of 140 post-surgery once. I didn't have an infection- my body was just being weird and I was dehydrated.

Thanks everyone, I've tried ringing the unit but nobody's answering after 7 try's. Going to call 111 now. Thank you all for your advice x

Hypotension and tachycardia can be caused by dehydration, so while you're waiting to get medical advice, try to drink some fluid. But yes you should get advice because it could also be caused by other factors.

I was like this after a general

It was caused by severe dehydration

I had this my consultant told me it was from the adrenaline they give you to help stop bleeding.