Blood pressure question.
 

I would like to get the ball rolling on getting my CDL. The truck driving school I'm looking at, classes start late June. But one of the requirements to get in is your DOT physical. I'm concerned about my BP. It averages around 145/87 to 150/93. Sometimes, but not lately, it has been high as 153/98. With my current numbers, will I fail the physical, or will I get the " come back in 1 year card ? " Is 140/90 the "brick wall" so to speak? Thanks.

From the FMCSR:

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.

Thanks Fozzy! Another question, being a new driver, though I drove for 2 years OTR 20 years ago, and have been certified for 1 year on the physical, does that hurt my chances getting hired on with a good company?

Most will not care about a one year medical card, there are SOME who require the full two year card, call the company before you commit. There are some really effective meds out there that work within a couple of weeks, you will still get the one year card while on the meds, but you'll feel better.

Myself, I would get to a doctor and get on medication that will lower your BP. I have stage 1 hypertension and was put on medication. My BP is now 117 over 74 most of the time. The type of pills I'm on lower my heart rate and get rid of fluid in my body. If you don't want to go to the doctor then do the following before your test.

No alcohol at all the day before

Go exercise or have a brisk walk right before your physical. Anything strenuous will lower your BP.

Try not to drink anything the day before. No water, no nothing. Any liquid you drink goes into the bloodstream. It's just like a garden hose, the more fluid in your veins, the more pressure.

And, one of the biggest things you can take before your physical is a Viagra about 3 hours before your appointment. I'm not kidding. If you read the info on Viagra, people with low blood pressure should not take it because it lowers your BP even more.

LOL that night be a good idea but the what happens when your told to drop them and cough. Even after 3 hours after taking a Viagra the slightest breeze is still going to get you pretty excited.


I can just imagine the look the doctor will give you when he tells you to drop them.:nervous:

True but taking your clothes off is not part of a DOT physical. My doctor goes by the book and down the checklist item by item and there is no hernia check or any other check below the belt other than making me take my shoes off to make sure I actually have 2 real feet. (NO KIDDING) that is part of the requirement.

ROFL!!! :lol: Thanks for the good advice guys. I can see it now, as the nurse pumps the BP machine, I'll get a rise in my Levi's. I can't stop laughing. Thanks I needed that.