Blood Pressure and Pulse Rate Changes in Patients Undergoing Tooth Extraction

Introduction: Tooth extraction is a common dental procedure that can lead to physiological changes, including alterations in blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate (PR). The administration of local anesthesia, particularly lidocaine with epinephrine, can temporarily impact cardiovascular parameters. This study aimed to evaluate changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse rate before and after tooth extraction. Aim of study: To evaluate changes in blood pressure and pulse rate during tooth extraction procedures and assess the impact of anxiety and stress on cardiovascular responses in dental patients. Material and method: This study was carried out during the period from October 2024 till February 2025, which included a sample size of 40 patient (31 were male and 9 were female), and was selected from the Faculty of Dentistry at Tikrit University / Iraq. Three readings were taken for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured (in mmHg), and heart rate, the measurements were carried out with the aid of a digital oximeter. Result: The results showed a significant increase in SBP and DBP following lidocaine administration (SBP: 124±9 mmHg to 133±8 mmHg, DBP: 81±8 mmHg to 89±6 mmHg). However, after extraction, these values returned closer to baseline (SBP: 125±8 mmHg, DBP: 83±5 mmHg). Pulse rate followed a similar pattern, rising from 86±8 bpm to 90±6 bpm after lidocaine and stabilizing at 88±7 bpm post-extraction. No statistically significant differences were found between males and females or between different age groups. Conclusion: The study confirms that local anesthesia with epinephrine causes temporary elevations in blood pressure and pulse rate, likely due to both physiological responses and patient anxiety. While these changes are self-limiting in healthy individuals, they highlight the importance of preoperative monitoring, particularly in hypertensive or anxiety-prone patients. Future research should focus on the long-term cardiovascular effects of local anesthetics in different patient populations.