Blood pressure question

[bouncer]

Hi all I test my blood presure everyday and it's usally 130/85 but sometimes i see it at 135/92 or 125/93 question is should I be worried that I will not pass the DOT physical.

[CrazyTulip]

During my last DOT Physical mine was like that too and they passed me so I guess you're OK? Maybe you can call your family doctor and ask him/her.

[obiedon]

This was taken directly from the FMCSA website.


Blood pressure (BP). If a driver has hypertension and/or is being medicated for hypertension, he or she should be recertified more frequently. An individual diagnosed with Stage 1 hypertension (BP is 140/90-159/99) may be certified for one year. At recertification, an individual with a BP equal to or less than 140/90 may be certified for one year; however, if his or her BP is greater than 140/90 but less than 160/100, a one-time certificate for 3 months can be issued. An individual diagnosed with Stage 2 (BP is 160/100-179/109) should be treated and a one-time certificate for 3-month certification can be issued. Once the driver has reduced his or her BP to equal to or less than 140/90, he or she may be recertified annually thereafter. An individual diagnosed with Stage 3 hypertension (BP equal to or greater than 180/110) should not be certified until his or her BP is reduced to 140/90 or less, and may be recertified every 6 months.

[CrazyTulip]

Great answer thanks for that! You learn something here every time.

[greg3564]

Bouncer, you should probably see a doctor. Your diastolic(low number) is high. Too high. Anything over 80 is a cause for concern and should be monitored by a doctor. Even your systolic(high number) is pushing over what is considered healthy now. You are definately in hypertension and possibly need to be on meds. I spent 4 years as an EMT Intermediate in a busy EMS system, although a doctor by no means, you should speak with a doctor. While you may be okay now to pass a DOT physical, your BP rises with age and will need to be addressed soon.

Here's a chart of what is considered healthy. The threshold for hypertension has been lowered in the last couple of years and what WAS good BP is no longer the case. Good luck and stay safe out there.

Normal
Systolic 119 mm Hg or below
Diastolic 79 mm Hg or below

Prehypertension
Systolic 120–139 mm Hg
Diastolic 80–89 mm Hg

High blood pressure (hypertension)
Systolic 140 mm Hg or above
Diastolic 90 mm Hg or above

[GMAN]

Go to your local health food store and get some Hawthorn Berry Extract. It will bring your blood pressure down without the side effects of prescription medications and cost a fraction of the price.

[matcat]

Also salt intake is one of the BIGGEST contributions to high blood pressure, secondary to smoking, caffeine, sugars, and being over weight. Before you go to a blood pressure test, you should make sure your salt intake is as low as possible for a few days before, no smoking at least 30 min before the test (But I would give it at least 2 hours), and no caffeine or sugary things for at least an hour before hand (Again I would go with a couple hours on this), that way you can see what your normal blood pressure is, without the effects everyday things we often ingest that will temporarily effect your BP.

[bouncer]

Thanks will try the Hawthorn berries.

[Sealord]

There can be a correlation between weight and BP. Lose a pound, drop a point, happened to me. OTW, if you're on BP meds and it's controlled, you get a one year card. BOl

[trux]

Definitely a correlation between weight and blood pressure. Back in January when I took the DOT physical, I weighed 208 with BP 140/90. (I passed the physical)


Then I started driving the truck, lost the beer habit and lost a lot of weight. Two weeks ago got tested: weight 166 with BP 90/62.

[countryhorseman]

Hi all I test my blood presure everyday and it's usally 130/85 but sometimes i see it at 135/92 or 125/93 question is should I be worried that I will not pass the DOT physical.

First, many on this list have given you some great advice.

Second, what are you using to check your blood pressure - it has been published that some of the home BP machines or the ones in the truck stops are not always in proper calibration, and rely heavily on proper placement of the arm in the cuff. Mine is usually 120/70 or therabouts when checked at the docs, but the .25 cent machines usually show 135/75 or thereabouts.

Third, check out this website: http://www.pd-md.com/ If you are near Knoxville or West Memphis, stop in at their clinics to be checked out. BP screenings are no-charge. Dr. John is a neat doctor, had a long conversation with him and some of his staff at the GATS show this year. Eventually, they will have clinic open at truck stops around the country, with a solid network for professional drivers. They have programs to help keep expenses down on both testing and prescriptions if needed, not like your typical docs, these folks are there to help the drivers. A much long overdue program.

Also: http://www.drivershealth.com/index.jsp is a program by Novartis, which is in conjunction with PDMD

Good luck on your health.

[bouncer]

Well I ordered the Hawtorn berry should get it in a couple of days will let you know if it works.

[CrazyTulip]

Definitely a correlation between weight and blood pressure. Back in January when I took the DOT physical, I weighed 208 with BP 140/90. (I passed the physical)


Then I started driving the truck, lost the beer habit and lost a lot of weight. Two weeks ago got tested: weight 166 with BP 90/62.

Awesome job Trux!! I know from experience how hard it is to lose weight, especially driving OTR!
However, we are getting a fridge with a bigger freezer section so I can start stocking Weight Watchers meals for the microwave and will force myself to park and walk at least half an hour a day so hopefully that'll show some improvements soon too

bouncer, good luck on your DOT!

[bouncer]

Thanks for the info Just recieved the pills any idea how long before I notice a drop in bp.Also still waiting on my background check with CFI.Should be in the OCT 17 class hoping to ethier hear from Chirstine or get the package in the mail soon.Will keep ya posted.

[bouncer]

Thanks for the info Just recieved the pills any idea how long before I notice a drop in bp.Also still waiting on my background check with CFI.Should be in the OCT 17 class hoping to ethier hear from Chirstine or get the package in the mail soon.Will keep ya posted.

[matcat]

Heh, just got back from rite aide to get some smokes, decided to see what my BP was to see if I should work on lowering it, interestingly it was 101/69, a LOT lower then I expected, I expected it to be high! But my heart rate was extremely fast, 102, wierd, but atleast my BP is good :P

[gbtrucker]

Hi Bouncer
I have been checking my BP at WallyWorld and it has been High. Never had high BP before but have not gone to Dr in couple years. My wife also tested high and she has hers under control with the meds the last 20 yrs. and was just checked 3 months ago.

Where did you order your Hawtorn berry pills from?

I have Dr appt on the 10th to get a real checkup and gave up the beer and salt and guess the caffeen will be down to one cup for now.
I am penciled in to start school Oct 23rd now and don't want to miss the chance.

Thanks

Thanks for the info Just recieved the pills any idea how long before I notice a drop in bp.Also still waiting on my background check with CFI.Should be in the OCT 17 class hoping to ethier hear from Chirstine or get the package in the mail soon.Will keep ya posted.

[greg3564]

Hi Bouncer
I have been checking my BP at WallyWorld and it has been High. Never had high BP before but have not gone to Dr in couple years. My wife also tested high and she has hers under control with the meds the last 20 yrs. and was just checked 3 months ago.

Where did you order your Hawtorn berry pills from?

I have Dr appt on the 10th to get a real checkup and gave up the beer and salt and guess the caffeen will be down to one cup for now.
I am penciled in to start school Oct 23rd now and don't want to miss the chance.

Thanks

Thanks for the info Just recieved the pills any idea how long before I notice a drop in bp.Also still waiting on my background check with CFI.Should be in the OCT 17 class hoping to ethier hear from Chirstine or get the package in the mail soon.Will keep ya posted.

Cutting out your salt and caffeine will help. Keep in mind too that those BP machines in the stores are rarely calibrated and are inaccurate. Hopefully are will be well at the doctors office. Good luck.

[gbtrucker]

Hi Bouncer
I have been checking my BP at WallyWorld and it has been High. Never had high BP before but have not gone to Dr in couple years. My wife also tested high and she has hers under control with the meds the last 20 yrs. and was just checked 3 months ago.

Where did you order your Hawtorn berry pills from?

I have Dr appt on the 10th to get a real checkup and gave up the beer and salt and guess the caffeen will be down to one cup for now.
I am penciled in to start school Oct 23rd now and don't want to miss the chance.

Thanks

Thanks for the info Just recieved the pills any idea how long before I notice a drop in bp.Also still waiting on my background check with CFI.Should be in the OCT 17 class hoping to ethier hear from Chirstine or get the package in the mail soon.Will keep ya posted.

Cutting out your salt and caffeine will help. Keep in mind too that those BP machines in the stores are rarely calibrated and are inaccurate. Hopefully are will be well at the doctors office. Good luck.

Gregg
I think your right about the machines but while I am waiting to see the Dr. I am going to stop back every 3 days to see if anything changes to the better. Not sure how to approach this if, Say if I tell my Dr I need the DOT exam soon and he just does the normal visit BP test and finds it high will he report it to DOT anyway even thought I am not officially taking the DOT Exam yet?

I don't want to then be under the gun and have to get it lower than the 140/90 and only get a year cert. I downloaded the DOT Test pages, all 9 of them from

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/s...cal-Report.pdf

Thanks

[bouncer]

Got the hawtron berry from drugstore.com for 7 bucks any gnc will have them.Great new I went to my dot phyiscal yesterday was so worried.I passed with no problems when they did the bp it was 134/83 so i said that's alittle high right she was like not realy it's about normal for you.I am 6-6 400 pounds.I got a 2 year card I asked if I should get on meds she was like no it's not that high for meds.