Central Refrigerated Truck Stop II

Good to know. I fully intend to get hold of somebody from CF on Monday, by any means available to me.

 

Another question for Central Refrigerated drivers. I'm considering Central, but I have been checking my blood pressure rating and it's a little high. Will they disqualify me for that? Any ideas in how to get it lower and keep it lower?
Thanks again for your help!

 

You can absolutely be disqualified for BP which is too high. BP 180/110 and higher is automatic disqualification. 160-179/100-109 will get you a 3 month med card at best. Under 159/99 to 140/90 and you get a 1 year med card. Under 140/90 and you're golden.

The thing is, having hypertension (high BP) is a great early indicator of heart disease, and something that can easily be controlled with diet/exercise and/or pills. Usually a combination of both. So see your doc...the sooner the better IMO. Don't wait until a DOT physical and "hope" your BP will be low enough.

 

Hey Treputt,

do you know how long it'll take to lower it if I change my diet right away? I fall into the thirty day card area right now.

Thank you for your help, can't afford the doc right now!

 

Try googling that for answers. I googled "change diet to lower blood pressure" without the quotes and several pages of information showed up. Just don't trust those ebooks that promise for $47 they'll share all the secrets to lowering your blood pressure overnight. Also, look into the DASH eating plan, I've seen it recommended several places.

Also, when your blood pressure is taken, make sure they use a cuff that's the right size. At my doctor, they have an automated machine to take blood pressure, and the cuff fits poorly. I was recorded at 147/88 on it, and it left a big red welt. When I talked to to doctor, he rechecked me with the normal, manual cuff, and I was 132/82. Cuff size and fit can make all the difference. My ex went to the ER, they used a normal cuff, said he was at 190 and they were worried he'd have a stroke. They went and got an extra large cuff, and he was 140.

 

get your card from a private place. like concentra. central is probaly harder. i got a 2 year card. i work out 4 times a week though and im 170 pounds 6'2. so i dont really have anything to worry about. but if i were you I would change diets and get exercise to lower that BP.

 

Probably the three easiest things you can do to lower your BP is limit your sodium intake, cut back (as much as you can) on caffeine, and drink lots of water. All 3 will positively affect your BP. How much it will depends really on your overall health and just how high your BP is.

edit - Forgot smoking. If you smoke, quit if you can....or again cut back as much as possible. Smoking has a HUGE affect on BP.

 

and take an aspirin the morning of the test. It'll thin your blood. Not a long term solution, but it's a bandaid anyway.

 

In order to avoid possibly wasting your time, you can get your medical card before you leave. That's what I did. You can download the forms from the internet and have your own doctor fill it out. Just make sure that you bring both the long form and the card (which you'll have to shrink down and make yourself) or they won't accept it when they screen you.

 

Just make sure to cut back on the water just before the test. Too much water can actually raise blood pressure in the short run by increasing the volume of blood. Most people dehydrate over night, just don't replace that volume more than neccessary, keeping in mind that you'll also have to provide a urine sample.