Blood Pressure

Discussion in 'Swift' started by 5thwheel23, Jul 4, 2010.

  1. Gold_Miner

    Gold_Miner Medium Load Member

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    Nov 4, 2011
    Burnet, TX
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    Thanks handymn, It is great to hear from people that have done it. It helps everyone that comes along understand what to expect.
     
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  3. A21CAV

    A21CAV Road Train Member

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    Oct 4, 2011
    Laredo, TX
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    § 391.43 Medical examination

    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.

    Mine was 150/80 this morning so I get a one year card.

    Frank
     
    ricrey99 Thanks this.
  4. Gold_Miner

    Gold_Miner Medium Load Member

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    Nov 4, 2011
    Burnet, TX
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    So they still let you go even over 140.... That is good to know....
     
  5. DenaliDad

    DenaliDad Retired Wheel Dog

    FMCSA 391.41(b)(6):
    A person is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if that person:

    **Has no current clinical diagnosis of high blood pressure likely to interfere with the ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely.
    **Hypertension alone is unlikely to cause sudden collapse; however, the likelihood increases when target organ damage, particularly cerebral vascular disease is present. This advisory criteria is based on FMCSA's Cardiovascular Advisory Guidelines for the Examination of CMV Drivers, which used the Sixth Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (1997)...

    GUIDELINES FOR BLOOD PRESSURE EVALUATION

    140-159/90-99 - Stage 1: 1 year if £140/90. One-time certificate for 3 months if 140-159/90-99.

    160-179/100-109 - Stage 2: One-time certificate for 3 months. 1 year from date of exam if £140/90.

    ³180/110 - Stage 3: Disqualified.

    6 months from date of exam if £140/90, then every 6 months if £140/90.
     
  6. DenaliDad

    DenaliDad Retired Wheel Dog

    And remember, the FMCSA gives a trucking company authority to be more stringent if they want, so even if the regulation says you may get a medical card at Stage 2 hypertension, the company may say 'no, thank you.'
     
  7. Gambinos Wrath

    Gambinos Wrath Light Load Member

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    Nov 1, 2011
    Denver, co
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    I did my dot test today, I always have issues when it comes to blood pressure machines, which is interesting as I hit the gym 5 days a week (havent started trucking yet) and I watch my bp on the cardio machines, and it takes me awhile just to get to 160bp, then will drop like a stone once I stop, but today, first couple I did were high 140's low 150's, then I said, give me 10 mins, went and had a water, came back, hit 140/78
     
  8. DenaliDad

    DenaliDad Retired Wheel Dog

    High blood pressure can have all kinds of sources, including heredity. Go get a physical from your own doc.
     
  9. fairshake

    fairshake Road Train Member

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    Chickenville, BFE
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    I always had the higher BP when going for physical, when I was in early twenties I would go in after a night of pounding beers and man that BP was crazy and I was stupid. I now go in prepared and also try to watch what I do overall. One thing that works for me is to do about 10 minutes of deep breathing a few weeks before a physical. I have a meter and its amazing after doing the deep breathing my BP goes down 10-20 points at times, it relaxes you as well.
     
    capthook Thanks this.
  10. capthook

    capthook Light Load Member

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    Jul 16, 2010
    NC
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    I've seen folks get sent home for over 140/90
    to see their doctor, get meds, get it down, and come back when you do.

    If you can't get it down, it's better to get on meds and get it down,
    'cause at least you'll get a 1 year card rather than sent home
    (And be improving your health)

    For test:
    Plenty of sleep
    No coffee, caffine, nicotine
    Water the day before and morning of
    Sit quietly before test
    slow regular breathing
    calm thoughts - go somewhere peaceful in your head

    Edit: cut down salt intake!!! The sooner the better
    Salt is a huge contributor to high blood pressure.
    Many Americans regularly intake 300%+ the recommended
    with all the salt in processed foods.
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2011
  11. DenaliDad

    DenaliDad Retired Wheel Dog

    If you do that, you will improve your health immensely.
     
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