HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE BAD OR NOT?

Topic 2715 | Page 1

Page 1 of 1
Josh R.'s Comment
member avatar

i have been on this site asking some questions already because i am going to school next month for central and i just want to know how much can my blood pressure actually effect me? im usually at hypertension 1 or 2 is that to much to pass the DOT or will they let it slide? also if it can effect me why can it? i appreciate all replies thank you

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.

quietman's Comment
member avatar

My Doctor said the cut off was 130 over 80 if I remember right. You can be on medication but I don't think that changes the numbers you need to meet. I didn't research it or anything because I was under that, so there might be more to the rules than that. I would google D.O.T. medical requirements. Good luck

Stewart A.'s Comment
member avatar

I can't speak from a position of being a truck driver as I am just a wanna be, but I was a private pilot up until a year and a half ago when I turned in my license and hung up my wings. The requirements as you might guess were similar and included blood pressure. The last medical I had was close at 138/86 and each one prior my BP was climbing toward that. Before I made the decision to stop flying I was looking for ways to lower my BP without meds as I hate the idea of being on anything man made. I was talking with our over weight janitor who had been fighting this also and he had been talking with a new doctor that told him to try a sublingual (under the tongue liquid) vitamin B complex. He did and right away felt better and his BP had dropped some. I thought hey, I can do that especially for $10 a month cost. I did and a couple months later went in for my regular physical and the nurse doing my BP came up with 106/78. I thought she screwed up and about a month later I had purchased an automatic one for home testing and I had also dropped from the twice a day dose to just once and I got a reading of 121/82. I have since heard that celery also helps with lowering BP which happens to be another addition to my diet. Just some ideas that are not radical or costly that may help some and may not do anything for others.

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.

Phil O.'s Comment
member avatar

I've been working on my blood pressure as well. My family has a history and I've been watching my diet, but does anyone have any more tips that I can use while on the road?

G-Town's Comment
member avatar

i have been on this site asking some questions already because i am going to school next month for central and i just want to know how much can my blood pressure actually effect me? im usually at hypertension 1 or 2 is that to much to pass the DOT or will they let it slide? also if it can effect me why can it? i appreciate all replies thank you

Hope this helps. This is what the current FMCSA guidelines are:

A CMV driver with a diagnosis of hypertension on treatment (currently taking BP meds) and within the limits of the guidelines should have at least an annual certification.

A CMV driver with a Blood pressure less than (BP) 140/90 may be certified for 2 years if they are not on medication.

First time BP elevated:

Stage 1 - BP 140-159/90-99 Certification Period 1 year

Stage 2 - BP 160-179/100-109 Certification Period 3 months as one time certification. Within the 3 months, if the blood pressure is below 140/90, the driver may receive 1 year certification.

Stage 3 - BP Reading >180/110 Disqualified. When the blood pressure is less than 140/90, the driver can be certified at 6 month intervals.

Last Updated : April 1, 2014

CSA:

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)

The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle

FMCSA:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.

What Does The FMCSA Do?

  • Commercial Drivers' Licenses
  • Data and Analysis
  • Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
  • Research and Technology
  • Safety Assistance
  • Support and Information Sharing

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.

CMV:

Commercial Motor Vehicle

A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:

  • Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
  • Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
  • Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
  • Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
  • Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards

Hypertension:

Abnormally high blood pressure.

Fm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
William C.'s Comment
member avatar

You have to be at 140/90 or better for a 2 year card

Jason V.'s Comment
member avatar

My Doctor said the cut off was 130 over 80 if I remember right. You can be on medication but I don't think that changes the numbers you need to meet. I didn't research it or anything because I was under that, so there might be more to the rules than that. I would google D.O.T. medical requirements. Good luck

Anything higher than 130/80 medically disqualifies you to have a valid CDL. This is already a stressful job. Take care of it before you even think of getting a DOT physical done or even picking up a CDL manual at the dmv.

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.

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.

Dm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

DMV:

Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles

The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.

G-Town's Comment
member avatar
double-quotes-start.png

My Doctor said the cut off was 130 over 80 if I remember right. You can be on medication but I don't think that changes the numbers you need to meet. I didn't research it or anything because I was under that, so there might be more to the rules than that. I would google D.O.T. medical requirements. Good luck

double-quotes-end.png

Anything higher than 130/80 medically disqualifies you to have a valid CDL. This is already a stressful job. Take care of it before you even think of getting a DOT physical done or even picking up a CDL manual at the dmv.

The below information is taken directly from the FMCSA guidelines and reflects the most current federal guidelines on the subject. http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/what-effect-driver-certification-based-fmcsa-hypertension-stages

A CMV driver with a diagnosis of hypertension on treatment (currently taking BP meds) and within the limits of the guidelines should have at least an annual certification.

A CMV driver with a Blood pressure less than (BP) 140/90 may be certified for 2 years if they are not on medication.

First time BP elevated:

Stage 1 - BP 140-159/90-99 Certification Period 1 year

Stage 2 - BP 160-179/100-109 Certification Period 3 months as one time certification. Within the 3 months, if the blood pressure is below 140/90, the driver may receive 1 year certification.

Stage 3 - BP Reading >180/110 Disqualified. When the blood pressure is less than 140/90, the driver can be certified at 6 month intervals.

Last Updated : April 1, 2014

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.

CSA:

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)

The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle

FMCSA:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.

What Does The FMCSA Do?

  • Commercial Drivers' Licenses
  • Data and Analysis
  • Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
  • Research and Technology
  • Safety Assistance
  • Support and Information Sharing

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.

CMV:

Commercial Motor Vehicle

A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:

  • Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
  • Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
  • Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
  • Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
  • Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards

Hypertension:

Abnormally high blood pressure.

Dm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

Fm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

DMV:

Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles

The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.

Deezyl Geezer's Comment
member avatar

I was diagnosed with stage one hypertension 3+ years ago. I take medication (with no side affect) and have had consistent 'normal' reading since. I do monitor myself. You will qualify for a 1 year ticket. Once your diagnosed that's all you get. I have never been turned down a job offer because of my 1 year certification.

Hypertension:

Abnormally high blood pressure.

Page 1 of 1

New Reply:

New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features

Bold
Italic
Underline
Quote
Photo
Link
Smiley
Links On TruckingTruth


example: TruckingTruth Homepage



example: https://www.truckingtruth.com
Submit
Cancel
Upload New Photo
Please enter a caption of one sentence or less:

Click on any of the buttons below to insert a link to that section of TruckingTruth:

Getting Started In Trucking High Road Training Program Company-Sponsored Training Programs Apply For Company-Sponsored Training Truck Driver's Career Guide Choosing A School Choosing A Company Truck Driving Schools Truck Driving Jobs Apply For Truck Driving Jobs DOT Physical Drug Testing Items To Pack Pre-Hire Letters CDL Practice Tests Trucking Company Reviews Brett's Book Leasing A Truck Pre-Trip Inspection Learn The Logbook Rules Sleep Apnea
Done
Done

0 characters so far - 5,500 maximum allowed.
Submit Preview

Preview:

Submit
Cancel

This topic has the following tags:

DOT Physical Health Concerns
Click on any of the buttons above to view topics with that tag, or you can view a list of all forum tags here.

Why Join Trucking Truth?

We have an awesome set of tools that will help you understand the trucking industry and prepare for a great start to your trucking career. Not only that, but everything we offer here at TruckingTruth is 100% free - no strings attached! Sign up now and get instant access to our member's section:
High Road Training Program Logo
  • The High Road Training Program
  • The High Road Article Series
  • The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
  • Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted

Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth

Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:

Apply For Paid CDL Training