Potential blood pressure problems.

[coolbreeze]

A few months ago I had a DOT physical done and everything was fine except for the first documented time in my life, I had high blood pressure.
I came back the next day and had it taken again, still high, but enough to get me just a one year Dot card.
Now, this school I may be going to soon says they will have to re-test me since it has been over 60 days and I'm worried that if my blood pressure is too high to pass on any level, they will simply send me home before I even start CDL school training.
Could this happen cause it would SUCK taking a Greyhound trip for 10 hours only to find out I have to go home the next day. :sad:
Anyone have any insight to this?

[classicxl]

you need to relax eat healthy before going take some deep breaths during the exam and see a doctor to find out why it is high or are you stressed out for some reason

[rigidsporty]

Mine was very high when I took the physical for school.... they had me lie down in a dark room for a little while and that helped get it down enough to get the 2 year card. When I went for orientation for Roehl after school it was too high again and I couldnt get it down.... I had to go back home (its the 2 year card or nothing with Roehl... luckily it was only 3 hours away and I drove there). Later I took the Greyhound to Joplin, Mo for orientation with CFI and I BARELY passed it during their physical. My new job (local) I again had to take a physical and it was (imagine that) high again... I only got the 3 month card. Fortunatly this job is very physical so in 3 months time I was able to get it down enough to get another 2 year card.

Botton line coolbreeze... yes its possible you'll be sent home if your BP is too high. I'd take every precaution I could to try and get it down... and like classic said, take deep breaths and relax... stress seems to make your BP go up dramatically. Voice of experience here. :wink:

[GMAN]

Stay away from the caffeine, watch what you eat and get some exercise. You can also go to a health food store and get some Hawthorn Berry. I have known of several people who have taken Hawthorn Berry for a few days and it has brought their BP down considerably. It is much better than taking blood pressure medicine and less expensive.

[Red Clay Rambler]

Losing a few pounds will help lower it.

[kjax]

Now, this school I may be going to soon says they will have to re-test me since it has been over 60 days and I'm worried that if my blood pressure is too high to pass on any level, they will simply send me home before I even start CDL school training.

But you see why the blood pressure is elevated, right? :P

Had the same thing- just over the line of being "normal" or acceptable... only got a one year pass.

Get some exercise in, if you drink coffee or smoke, don't, prior to your phys. Should be fine.

Watch this:
Food As Medicine 1
Food As Medicine 2

[Fourcats]

Mine was up :shock: for the first time also. I cut the chips, beer, candy, lunch meats and cut back on the coffee. I started eating two bananas a day instead of something bad and lots of chicken salad on good bread.
Its a healing process and takes some time
Avoid coffee the day of the test.

[blazer]

Quit caffeine, smoking and alcohol, on the day of the physical drink a glass of skim milk and eat a banana, it worked for me!

[kc0iv]

A few months ago I had a DOT physical done and everything was fine except for the first documented time in my life, I had high blood pressure.
I came back the next day and had it taken again, still high, but enough to get me just a one year Dot card.
Now, this school I may be going to soon says they will have to re-test me since it has been over 60 days and I'm worried that if my blood pressure is too high to pass on any level, they will simply send me home before I even start CDL school training.
Could this happen cause it would SUCK taking a Greyhound trip for 10 hours only to find out I have to go home the next day. :sad:
Anyone have any insight to this?

The first thing you need to do is find out -- Why Is Your BP High? High BP is nothing to play around with. Only your doctor can determine the "Why".

While several have given some suggestions and I agree with most of them. You first have to determine the why and then determine the what to do.

See Your Doctor. High BP Can Kill You.


kc0iv

[Fourcats]

My dispatcher made it simple, "No medical card, no job".

Not having a "doctor" I used "common sense" {the internet for info} cut my SALT intake along with the other stuff I mentioned and I'm good to go! They will have to work harder to git rid of me....


"Researchers cause cancer in mice"...$.02

[terrylamar]

I too, had worries about High Blood Pressure. First, as the other poster said, see a doctor. Even if you do have high Blood Pressure and you need to take medicine, you will be good to go for the DOT Physical. If you decide to self medicate there are many proven and suspected methods of lowering it.

Proven methods include loosing weight. Eating healthy foods. Lowering your sodium intake. Stop smoking. Exercising. Most of these have long term benefits other than just lowering your Blood Pressure.

Eating. I'm not a dietitian. Basically, reduce your salt intake. Both by adding it to foods and the salt already in foods. Processed foods usually have high sodium. Read labels and avoid them. Include fish in your diet a couple of meals each week. Eat more vegetables. Stop drinking soft drinks and other drinks with sugar. Eliminate fatty foods. Reduce your alcohol intake.

Natural remedies include: garlic, bananas, apples, hawthorn, onions.

Stress: reduce it. Deep calming breaths, relaxation exercises, mental imaging. Find out what causes stress in your life and eliminate it.

On the day of the test do not drink caffeine. Arrive early and sit quietly. Picture yourself someplace like the beach, you hear the waves, you feel the warmth of the sun, the hot sand you are lying on, the seagulls of in the distance and just relax.

It all depends on long you have before your test. Some of these have a dramatic impact immediately, lower salt intake, stop smoking, exercising, stress reduction. Others will take awhile, loosing weight, diet, some natural remedies. The sooner you start, the greater the impact they will have.

[Useless]

[quote="terrylamar"]Natural remedies include: garlic, bananas, apples, hawthorn, onions.

Also, Niacine can be a big help for reducing blood pressure, and flushing out toxins as well!!

[CajunNVirginia]

Unfortunately, genetics can play into it and there is really no medication that can help. My dad died at the age of 57 in 2004 with high blood pressure induced stroke. He took his meds and ate right. I have the same problem...I take meds and eats correctly, but the 1st thing that upsets me...my BP is off the charts...we are talking 200 plus over 150 plus! There is nothing I can do about it, beyond just not getting mad and BTW, I am only 35.

[terrylamar]

Unfortunately, genetics can play into it and there is really no medication that can help. My dad died at the age of 57 in 2004 with high blood pressure induced stroke. He took his meds and ate right. I have the same problem...I take meds and eats correctly, but the 1st thing that upsets me...my BP is off the charts...we are talking 200 plus over 150 plus! There is nothing I can do about it, beyond just not getting mad and BTW, I am only 35.

Are you overweight, if so by how much? Do you smoke? Do you add salt to your food. Do you drink? Are you exercising every day? Are you learning to control your temper? Depending on how you answered these questions, there may be room for improvement, maybe vast improvement.

[Rawlco]

I do know that when I got my Medical card my blood pressure was 10 points lower than usual. I was seriously dehydrated and got no sleep the night before, not sure if that had anything to do with it.

[rigidsporty]

I do know that when I got my Medical card my blood pressure was 10 points lower than usual. I was seriously dehydrated and got no sleep the night before, not sure if that had anything to do with it.

I'll try that next time!

[GMAN]

If you have a tendency to have high blood pressure, you may want to buy a portable blood pressure cuff. They have some that wrap around your wrist and others that goes around the upper part of the arm. You can find them at CVS or most any pharmacies starting at amount $30. It might be good to monitor your bp to see what triggers it.

[rigidsporty]

Wallyworld has them too but you'd probably get a better quality one from a major pharmacy like Gman suggested. Also be sure to get the right size cuff for your arm. I need a large cuff (they cost extra) and the doc said the smaller cuff on my arm wouldnt be as accurate... one of these days I'll break down and buy one but its so hard to part with that money.

[Texas88]

There is no simple solution or cause for hypertension.

Most of all the precautions stated above would be a good start to controlling BP.
I went 15 years, different doctors throwing pills at me to get it down.
Finally found a DR. (at the VA no less), that came up with a formula and partial cause for my hypertension. Mine was at the 200/100 range.
1. Partial blockage in both main arteries to my Kidneys. (stents & ballon fixed that)
2. Correct meds to control it. I now take far less meds. Basicly 2.

No two body chemistries are the same. What works for one may not work for another.

Tips I found that work for me before getting tested for BP.
RELAX, deep breaths, no caffeine, don't cross your legs.
When nurse/DR checking your BP, make sure there using the correct cuff. Some get lazy and don't use the right one. Relax that arm, let it go limp. Put your body in shutdown. A tense body will cause 5 to 10 points. And if your like me I have "White Coat syndrome", 10 + points there. Don't get into a conversation with the person checking your BP, pretend there not there.
I just came in from the outside having a butt, and working on my second cup of coffee, 125/75. Go figure. And none of my meds have any warnings/cautions on them about driving, drowsy, operating heavy equipment, etc.

My son almost failed his last BP for his random spot check from company for DOT.

Finally convinced him to see doc. Now he is on meds, and he is only 37. I am glad he at least took this one advise from me.

Happy holidays…

[15minutes]

Great tips by all...especially the links to the videos of Jerry Brunetti. I got my DOT physical a couple of weeks ago and have high blood pressure so my card was good for only a year, too. I suffer from the white coat syndrome and I know I had some coffee that morning, now I know (and I also plan to see a doctor.)

Thanks all!