3 month DOT physical card at 28?

No smoking, no caffeine, no sugary drinks. A brisk 20 minute walk before going into the testing facility.

 

Go to the doctor on an empty stomach and don't drink anything except water.
Coffee & soft drinks can cause a rise in blood pressure.
Yeah, read Post #11

 

Blood pressure rises with stress. I usually don’t react to medical environments, but I distinctly remember one time where my pressure was a good 30 points higher than usual. I’d been late getting to the appointment and slid on some ice, to boot.

Biofeedback controlled breathing can bring it under control quickly.

all that said, if you really DO have high blood pressure, this medical exam probably saved your life, be very happy you found it early.

 

Butterfly Effect and Blood Pressure:
The butterfly effect is the idea that small events can have big consequences on complex systems.

 

I'm going to guess (because you stated you're 28) that you are over weight. I'm not judging. But, if that's the case, I would work to get the weight down. Usually, if you get the weight down, the BP will fall in line. And, of course, like others stated, there's always BP meds. And, yes, they're prescription but you can see your own doc to get those.

 

My last physical was like that. I was being rushed from one room to the next and they were doing everything as quickly as possible and trying to do three things at once.
My BP was up as well, but I know my meds do a good job.

I finally told her that she was stressing me out and to just slow down, let me relax a bit and try it again.
She seemed frustrated by the request, but let me have a few minutes to myself. Then it tested OK.

 

This is an issue where I have conflicting feelings. Yes, you can get an RX for HTZ along with a nitrate like Isosorbide and within days get your BP way down. The main issue at hand is that in the 1990s, the FMCSA Medical reduced the maximum systolic blood pressure from 160 to 140 for a two-year medical certification. I acknowledge the phenomena such as "white coat syndrome" and the frequent inaccuracies in blood pressure measurement at clinics. Currently, the average driver's diet is poor, often including vegetables from lunch bars and buffets that are high in sodium. Sodium contributes to fluid retention in the bloodstream, leading to elevated blood pressure. My top recommendation for those who receive a 90-day medical card is to consult a physician, obtain a prescription to lower blood pressure, and then focus on healthier eating habits, weight loss, and increased physical activity.

 

Losing weight is the healthiest long-term BP solution. As soon as you start OTR your calorie needs drop but your appetite stays the same or increases. I f you what was normal before OTR your weight will balloon up. Eat just enough to not feel light headed. Fast-food is everywhere & easy. It's weight gain in a paper bag. Eat kid portions.

Your sleep is usually disrupted & stress goes way up. All of this causes weight gain if you don't constantly work against it.

A meat only diet drops pounds fast. But if you return to eating bread the weight comes back just as fast. That's a quick, temporary fix.