Are there adverse effects of getting an upper GI endoscopy?

Potential adverse affects of an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy include bleeding, infection or tearing of the gastrointestinal tract, states Mayo Clinic. These complications are rare, and endoscopy procedures are considered to be safe.

After a patient has an upper GI endoscopy test, he should tell his doctor if he experiences a fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, bloody stools or severe abdominal pain, states Mayo Clinic. These symptoms could be a sign that the patient has developed a rare complication from the procedure. Any of these symptoms warrant a call to the patient's doctor to rule out internal bleeding, infection or tearing of the gastrointestinal tract.