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.

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 can increase the risk of anesthesia-related complications during or after surgery. But quitting smoking before the procedure can help.

Telling your doctors before surgery about your use of marijuana and other cannabis products can be critical for your safety and for managing your recovery.

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.

Certain health conditions increase the potential for anesthesia awareness — recalling some aspects of the surgery while under general anesthesia, but usually without feeling pain.

If you’re taking GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, make sure your anesthesiologist knows before your surgery. These drugs may increase your risks in surgery, but there are ways to stay safer.

Learn what you should know before surgery about a rare genetic mutation that may increase the risk of serious neurologic complications after general anesthesia. This mutation particularly affects those of Venezuelan lineage.