Normal physiology post surgery

Dear Ask The Doctor: I recently had Cervical Spine surgery C2-C5 on March 12 to remove a tumor. Since the surgery my blood pressure and heart rate have been extremely high. Post Blood pressure 170/90 and resting heart rate is 78. Pre Surgery blood pressure was 120/69 and resting heart rate was 42. After surgery I lost 15 pounds. From 175 to 160. Please let me know what you think could have caused this. Thanks Steve Chirco

Dear Steven: The effect of surgery on the body is similar to other physiological stresses such as illness, fever, trauma or low blood sugar. Cortisol, usually referred to as the stress hormone, is released from the adrenal gland in response to stress and anxiety. Its primary function is to increase blood sugar and stores of sugar in the liver as glycogen. It also acts by increasing the sensitivity of the bodys blood vessels to adrenaline and noradrenaline and the result of this is to increase heart rate and blood pressure. Therefore this is normal physiology post surgery. However if you are concerned, I would advise attending your family doctor for a check-up.