Millis physical

No, not until it expires, then Millis will set you up for one.

 

My BP has been borderline for many years. Most doctors have said "Don't worry about it yet". But I do anyway.

I've been checking my BP every day now for a week and cut out everything that could make it go up and it still sits at the same level.

I went and saw a doctor yesterday and he is experienced in DOT physicals.

He said the same thing, "Don't worry about it yet". They don't want to put you on meds until it is absolutely necessary.

He also said that even if I end up showing high BP, they will give me a three month leeway, then retest.

Worse case scenario, I would need to get checked every year instead of every 2 years.

That's perfectly fine with me. They can test me all they want and put me on meds. I don't want to have a freakin' stroke. My friend had one at 49 years old and it screwed his whole life up forever.

He has to wear slip-ons 'cause he can't tie his shoes.

I will put some of the things I found, in a seperate post after this one, the things that I found that you can do to get it down (if possible).

 

O.K. Here is what I'm doing to try and get, or keep, my blood pressure down:

Read the nutritional label on the food you buy.

You want to keep your sodium intake as low as possible. Like maybe 400mg a day. None is better.

Almost everything has sodium in it 'cause they use it as a preservative.

Fish is good. Red meat is bad.

Wheat bread instead of white. Whole grain is even better.

Read the labels to see how much sodium is in there (per serving). If you like things salted, there are alternative to it.

Eat some dark chocolate. I hate the taste of it but hopefully will acquire a taste at some point. It's the cocoa that is good for you. Lindt brand has the highest concentration of cocoa.

Avoid caffeine. Especially the day of your physical.

Take 81mg of (baby) aspirin a day (ask your doctor if it's o.k. first). My doctor said it is for me. If you take it at night it's suppose to be more effective than taking it in the morning.

Vitamin B complex. Just good for you for many reasons. Same with a garlic pill.

Walk 30 minutes twice a day. Take a walk about an hour before the physical.

Don't let them just slap that cuff on right away (if possible). It is best to sit still for maybe 10 minutes before the reading is taking.

White coat syndrom may kick in so that could factor in on the reading.

Edit: I Forgot about bananas. Bananas have been known to keep BP in check. Even dried banana chips.

 

Your BP is better than mine. I average about 120/85. Highest a week ago was 124/89. Pre-hypertension.

Like I mentioned before. I think that they will just let you go for 3 months and then check you again. That was from a Doctor that does DOT's all the time.

If you don't meet the criteria after 3 month, you get meds and then you have to be checked every year.

A trucking job actually could save some people from a stroke or heart attack because a person can't just brush it under the carpet anymore.

I know that a person can gain weight driving 'cause of the lack of exercise. I guess a guy would just have to commit to some kind of exercise routine. Drivers with dogs get an advantage that they have to take the dog for a walk.

I don't know anything about hernias. I suppose if your able to lift the minimum weight you would be o.k.

Maybe they allow you to wear one of those girdle-belt things that keep your guts from popping out.

I don't see why not. I've worn them before if I knew I was going to be lifting stuff for extended periods of time.

 

Mine's regularly been 120/80 or lower since I got on the right meds a few years back. Today for my physical it was 140/80. I asked; the doc said that's higher than usual, but still OK. A touch of white coat syndrome I guess, as it was the only real hurdle I've been facing. Anyway, he said it's the second number you need to keep a real eye on. If it's in the 90s = not good. My doc's also the coroner here, so if he says I ain't dead or close to it, I'm gonna go with that...

 

Isn't that a conflict of interest?