Yes, but it is very rare to die from anesthesia. The Royal College of Anaesthetists says that most deaths around the time of surgery are caused by the illness or the surgery itself, not the anesthetic. In one large estimate, out of 100,000 people, 1 died due to the anesthetic and 1 died due to cardiac arrest during or just after surgery. Death is more likely in people who are older, very unwell, having emergency surgery, or having major surgery on the heart, lungs, brain, major blood vessels, or bowels.

Anesthesia can lead to serious harm in rare cases because of things like a severe allergic reaction, trouble placing a breathing tube, or reduced blood flow and oxygen to the brain and major organs. Your anesthetist watches you closely during surgery and uses monitoring equipment to help lower these risks.

If you are having planned surgery, the anesthetist may want to see you in the weeks before surgery to review your health, allergies, and medicines and make a plan for your care.