Anesthesia is safer today than it has ever been due to advances in both technology and medications.    For most people, and in most situations, anesthesia is very safe. In very rare cases, anesthesia can lead to problems such as abnormal heart rhythms, breathing problems, allergic reactions to the medicines used, and even death. The risks depend on the kind of surgery or procedure, the condition of the patient, and the type of anesthesia used.   To further put your risk-level into perspective, you have an equal chance of dying due to lightning!   Statistically, it's much safer than driving your car to the clinic or hospital.