Research from VU University Medical Center (VUmc) reveals that about 40% of adult patients undergoing surgery have two or more lifestyle risk factors, including overweight, smoking, or excessive alcohol use.
These factors increase the risk of complications during surgery and slow recovery. VUmc researchers note that these patients often lack adequate support due to limited time and resources for pre-surgery health improvements.
The team advocates for stronger preventive measures, such as targeted information and counseling before procedures.
The VUmc Department of Anesthesiology has been leading the ‘Healthy Operation’ project. In 2020, they screened 1,228 adult patients during preoperative risk assessments for issues like overweight, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and excessive alcohol or drug use.
Read more about the risks of being overweight here >
The project’s goal is to minimize risks during and after surgery linked to unhealthy lifestyles, drawing on our expertise in anesthesiology and patient safety.
