Heart disease

Had 1 of my drivers have a heart attack last year and here is what I found when he was looking to come back to work " For patients with a history of myocardial infarction, annual re-examination and certification renewal is required. As part of that re-examination, the patient must document having passed a heart stress test at least every two years".

 

Can I drive a commercial vehicle after having angioplasty/stents inserted into my heart?

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/can-i-...er-having-angioplastystents-inserted-my-heart

The thing is you'll probably be on Effient (Prasugrel) or Plavix for a year. You'll probably have to tough out frequent physicals until then and hopefully go to a one year card after that.

Which side did they put them on? Did you have a heart attack?

 

Sounds like the right side which is good news. That left side is the one you really have to watch. Try to get a yearly or at the max a bi-yearly stress test and you'll catch the other side early.

 

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/can-i-...er-having-angioplastystents-inserted-my-heartCan I drive a commercial vehicle after having angioplasty/stents inserted into my heart?

Yes. Drivers who have uncomplicated, elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), with or without stenting, to treat stable angina may return to work as soon as one week after the procedure. Criteria for return to work after PCI include:
Examination and approval by the treating cardiologist;
Asymptomatic;
No injury to the vascular access site;
ETT three to six months post PCI. In the CMV driver this requires exercising to workload capacity of at least six METS (through Bruce Stage II or equivalent), attaining a heart rate >85% of predicted maximum (unless on beta blockers), a rise in SBP >20mmHg without angina, and having no significant ST segment depression or elevation. Stress radionuclide or echocardiography imaging should be performed for symptomatic individuals, individuals with an abnormal resting echocardiogram, or those drivers who fail to obtain the minimal standards required from the standard ETT;
Annual medical qualification examination;
Negative ETT at least every other year (criteria above) and Tolerance of all cardiovascular medication. The driver should not experience orthostatic symptoms, including light-headedness; a resting SBP<95mmHg systoloc; or a systolic blood pressure decline > 20mmHg upon standing.
Last Updated : April 1, 2014http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/can-i-drive-commercial-vehicle-after-having-angioplastystents-inserted-my-heart