The effect of body mass index on blood pressure and heart rate in patients undergoing tooth extraction

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Alterations in blood pressure (BP) and variability of heart rate (HR) throughout dental procedures were not clearly understood. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of body mass index (BMI) on BP and HR in patients undergoing tooth extraction. METHODS: Based on BMI, 831 patients who underwent single tooth extraction were divided into two groups; group 1: underweight and normal-weight patients, group 2: overweight and obese patients. BP and HR were monitored before local anesthesia and after tooth extraction. For statistical analysis of the data, Number Cruncher Statistical System (NCSS) 2007 program was used. Mann-Whitney U test and Student's t-test was used for comparing the differences between groups. RESULTS: The initial and final BP measurements of overweight and obese patients were found to be significantly higher than underweight and normal-weight patients (P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of initial and final HR measurements (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Overweight and obese patients are more likely to have increased BP; therefore, monitoring of BP and HR during tooth extraction is crucial in this group of patients to prevent possible complications.