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
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.
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.
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?
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
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
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?
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.
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:
Abnormally high blood pressure.
You have to be at 140/90 or better for a 2 year card
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.
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
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.
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
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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
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?
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.
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:
Abnormally high blood pressure.
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
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.
Abnormally high blood pressure.
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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.