Question About Blood Pressure?
Topic 14382 | Page 1
I'm pretty sure 140/90 is the highest they will go. It is possible you can get a 3 month physical card, but most companies won't accept it.
One thing that I found will affect the reading is the cuff size. My BP was consistently high until the DOT physician fitted me with a large cuff. Presto, problem solved.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Thanks for the response Lemmy!
I was reading of some ways online to help reduce it. I'm taking into account what I can do the day before. I've read that by the test tomorrow all or nearly all of the caffeine effects will be gone. I'm going to make sure to eat a small breakfast, drinking plenty of water, no salt or caffeine. I'm going to take half an aspirin before bed, as it's said that can help. Going to get a full night of sleep, taking a fair bit of garlic (2 or 3 spoons. one tonight, one or two tomorrow of minced garlic). This is all I think I can really do to lower it as much as possible. Outside of relaxing and breathing. I might do some breathing exercises before bed and through out tomorrow, to help try to even it out. Not sure how much it really works, but I know people swear by it.
Ya, the machine I went to was pretty bad. The Cuff was way to small. I had to jam my arm into it to get it to my elbow. Comfortably it only fit on my upper forearm. I'm not sure how much of a different it will make, but I have read before (and you confirmed with your case as well) that it does make a difference with cuff size. Even if I don't pass, I have read online that if you are above the 140/90, that you will still be certified but only for 1 year (2 years normally), at least this is what I've been reading online. You have a year to get it managed, if not then further action is taken. Hopefully it wont come to that and everything will be within reason tomorrow.
Thanks for the reply!
Blood Pressure
☆ Blood Pressure & DOT Physical
☆ Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Guidelines & Advice
Sleep Apnea
You may want to look in to this link if you are overweight or have a neck size of 17+ inches.
☆ Sleep Apnea, Truck Drivers, & BMI Calculator
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Hypertension:
Abnormally high blood pressure.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
Beet juice... and baby aspirin... 2 hours before your test.
Jered, we have a ton of information about the blood pressure requirements, the different medical cards you may be issued based upon the results, and a long list of short term and long term ways you can reduce your blood pressure including things you can do the morning of the exam:
Be very careful about drinking a ton of water. If you take a urinalysis drug test and it's "too watery" they'll assume you drank a ton of water to cover up the results and force you to take it again. So don't try to drink a ton of water the morning of the test. And by a ton I mean like 1/4-1/2 gallon within an hour or two is probably too much.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Hypertension:
Abnormally high blood pressure.
Hey there Jered,
I start CDL school on June 6th and was worried about my blood pressure being an issue as well, so I started monitoring it about the end of April. Initially, I was right around the cut-off of 140 for the top number of the BP reading. I was never really close to the 90 of the bottom number. I started taking a brisk 10 - 15 minute walk each evening and my readings started coming down quite a bit! I started out with readings of 144-147 / 74 - 78 and now (approx. two weeks later) they are running consistently in the 116 - 123 / 73 - 77 range. I will continue to do my walks and try to make sure that I still get them in even during school and increase their duration time as it can only be a benefit to blood pressure and body mass index. I' sure that all of the other tips on the forum help as well, but this is working very well for me. Hope this helps.
DSTURBD 
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Body Mass Index:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
Thanks for all the replies everyone.
I searched through the forum prior to posting and did come up with a lot. I have a friend who's a doctor who verified pretty much all of it. I didn't chug the water down, but I did drink only water and I will until it's over at least. I took a half an aspirin last night ended up being a little less. About 1/3, so I guess it's close to the mg of a child's aspirin. I'll take another third about 2 hours before going in today. I haven't eaten anything salty, or had any caffeine sense about 5 or 6 yesterday, pm. I leave in a few the test at about 12 my time. Will keep you guys posted on how it goes.
Beet juice... and baby aspirin... 2 hours before your test.
Baby Aspirin? One or two?
Beet juice... and baby aspirin... 2 hours before your test.
Baby Aspirin? One or two?
Any low dose kind, it's 81 or 83 mg can't remember which.
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So, I have my DOT physical tomorrow. I know what the blood pressure requirements are. I went down to the pharmacy to check what mine was, just to get an idea. My BP was 145/86. I know passing is under 140/90. I've read that if you are within a certain range over, as long as it isn't too far, you can still receive your physical card and you'll have to redo the testing within a year. Is this true, or does it change between schools? I'm going to CR England, I'm not sure if they will let it slide without waiting the weeks to see a doctor.
Also, I'm a big dude. I'm 6 foot 7, a fair amount over weight, and huge arms. I hit them gym about twice a week usually, just don't eat the cleanest. I can't get my arm past my elbow into there BP machine at the pharmacy. I read online that the fitting of the cuff makes a difference, I'm just not sure if it makes that big of a difference.
To be in the best shape for my physical tomorrow, to pass the PH phase of it, I've read that drinking a ton of water can flush your system of the caffeine and salts, which raise your bp. I do take in a fair amount of salt, but I don't take in much caffeine. A little coffee and some tea, but I don't drink soda at all. I'm hoping that with the water, no caffeine, no salts, and a light breakfast before leaving that is healthy will help. Along with relaxing and being at ease when the test is being done, I've read that is a big part of it too. Any suggestions? I know it's a bit soon with it being tomorrow and all.
Thanks guys!
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.