A professional driver asks Trucker Docs™…
I usually get high BP only when this DOT physical is due!! What can I do? “
Here are some tips to manage your blood pressure and have it measure as low as possible during the exam.
Each of these factors may affect your blood pressure reading a number of points:
- Nicotine/Caffeine. Nicotine and caffeine both raise your blood pressure temporarily. It’s best to refrain from smoking, chew, coffee, tea, sodas, and energy drinks a few hours before the examination. Replace caffeinated drinks with water to stay hydrated.
- Tired. Tired, weary, stressed? Your blood pressure is likely to go up. Get rested before the examination and leave plenty of time to get to your appointment. Get to your appointment early so you have time to sit and relax.
- Temperature. Blood pressure tends to increase when you are cold. If you’re at the doctor’s office and the room temperature is “chilly” to you, be aware that your blood pressure readings may be higher than expected. Dress to stay warm.
- Glass of water. Drink a full glass of water before you get to your appointment. This will help calm your body as well as prepare you to give a urine sample.
- Full Bladder. Your blood pressure is lower when your bladder is empty. Ask the doctor to perform the urine test prior to the physical exam.
- Emotional State. Stress or anxiety can cause large increases in blood pressure. If you are thinking about something that causes you to tense up or become stressed whilst having your blood pressure taken, the levels could significantly increase. While your blood pressure is being taken, be quiet and think about something far away that makes you feel happy and relaxed.
- Talking. If you are talking to the examiner while having your blood pressure taken, studies have shown that your systolic blood pressure measurement may increase 10 to 15mmHg. Be comfortable talking beforehand, especially if you’re chatting about something that makes you feel happy or relaxed, like a sport or hobby, or a vacation. Then be quiet during the blood pressure reading.
- Restricted Breathing. Holding your breath because you are nervous will raise your blood pressure. Breathe slowly and deeply like the doctor tells you to when listening to your heart with a stethoscope. Breathing slowly and evenly will help your body to relax.
- Arm/Back/Feet Unsupported. When having your blood pressure measured, you should always be seated in a comfortable chair, legs uncrossed, with your back and arm supported. If your back is not supported, your diastolic blood pressure measurement may be increased by 6 mmHg. Crossing your legs has shown to raise your systolic blood pressure by 2 to 8 mmHg. The positioning of your upper arm below your heart level will also result in higher measurements, whereas positioning your upper arm above your heart level will give you lower measurements. These differences can increase/decrease your systolic blood pressure 2mmHg for every inch above/below your heart level.
- Blood Pressure Cuff Used Over Clothing. Studies have shown that clothing can impact a systolic blood pressure from 10 to 50 mmHg. When having your blood pressure measured, the cuff should always be placed directly on your arm.
Bonus tip:
- Get Your Spine Aligned! Pain or physical discomfort tends to raise blood pressure. Several studies have shown that chiropractic adjustment will lower blood pressure after the correction is delivered.
Thanks to Trucker Docs™ expert panel doctor Michael Impaglia, DC for contributing this article. You can get your DOT physical with Dr. Michael Impaglia in Buffalo, Depew, NY.
Put In A Nutshell
The doctor is on your side so let him/her take care of the examination!
The best thing you can do is go to a happy place far away and breathe slowly, and deeply, and evenly, in and out. It does help.
Can you still drive a truck if the physical is not complete do to waiting to get a compliance report on the CPAP device!?
@ Donald
Do you have a valid medical card? If not, then the answer is no. If the CME registered your card as pending, then your old card has been suspended and waiting for further information. If the CME has not registered your new medical card, then you are still operating on the old card. You will need to check with your examiner on this issue.
When I had mine, they gave me a temporary 3 month passed physical while I attempted to get my compliance report in order. This may not be valid in all States.
So with all the covid-19 going on right now. All the dmv locations are closed in my state of Illinois. I got a letter in the mail Saturday saying they was suspending my cdl due to not submitting my medical card. But I DO CURRENTLY HAVE A VALID one. I just cant get to a facility to have it submitted. The secretary of state police told me today that I am basically up a creek until the facilities open. Is this true, Their has to be something I can do to get this submitted instead of sitting at home not making any money until they open back up on May the 1st if we are lucky. All suggestions or advise would be greatly appreciated at this point!!
@ Eric
Check online to see if there is more than one way to get the information to the state. And the DOT?FMCSA has granted an extension, so check with your state DLD to confirm the length of the extension in your state.
My step dad in Chicago just took his 2 year exam at a DOT office ( one of many in the city) paid $178 out of pocket. His card was already one day expired. He has no known health issues. He said this location was so unprofessional it frustrated him. His hearing test was the training nurse being told to blow and whisper in his ear with a piece of paper covering his ear. They took his weigh 3 times and by the time they took his BP he was sweating and pissed. His BP was 150/90. He explained he don’t hv High BP. He was then told because of his neck size and waste measurements with the BP test he is required to take a sleep apnea test. He was given a card for only 3 months. He told the dr he don’t see a need for a sleep apne bc he don’t have problems sleeping, he doesn’t snore and he can’t afford a sleep study. His exam was a sham. My question is do he have to follow up with me this doctor in 3 months or can he go to another Certified doctor for a legit exam?
@ Melinda
Use the 3 month card for a couple months and then go elsewhere for another examination/second opinion.
Just went to do my 2yr DOT physical recertification and the CME said I could only renew for 1 yr due to taking Seroquel and trazadone which I’ve been taking for over 5 years. I also take Gabapentin. Had to get the extra documentation needed to pass. But now I only get it for 1yr and not 2 yrs as I have always gotten in the past. Confused…has DOT changed there term rule or did the CME make a mistake?
@ David
The DOT/FMCSA is getting more strict and the examiners are at greater risk if something goes wrong. Examiners have the right to limit the length of a card due to any medical condition. Your examiner wants to keep a closer eye on your situation, we guess. No mistakes, just their judgement call.
Can CDL drivers use OTC lidocaine patches?
@ Clint
Is should raise questions by the CME. He may request further information. If the patches are not interfering with your ability to perform your job discerption, then there should be no issues.
Hello, I want to start my trucking carrier and want to look into some companies to gt my CDL, My question is I had a heart attack back in January, would this prevent me from passing a DOT exam? or would I need something from my cardiologist to clear me?
Thank you!!
@ Lee
You will need documentation from your cardiologist. Medical release forms and a working prognosis with recent test results.
I had a class b license ..i had 2 dirty urine samples with 2 different companies within a couple of years apart….i didn’t think i wanted to drive anymore..i recently let the license expire……can i try for a class a having second thoughts
You can but you have to answer questions regarding to past drug positive testing when applying to carriers
If its something you really want to do then go for it no matter yiur pass. Pray on it. My DAC is so jacked up but i work for a great company and started taking trucking more serious and a opportunity presented itself and I haven’t took it for granted yet good luck
I’ve been a driver for 25 yrs. In recent years, my issue has been passing with my BP. Again, hopeful that I’ll pass that, I wonder if I must divulge recently having been diagnosed with possibly Fibromyalgia? If not, must I divulge that I take a muscle relaxer, if I only take it when I’m not driving commercially?
@ Jennifer B
The fibromyalgia may not be a big issue, but the pain medications will be. Get a medical release form from your prescribing doctor explaining your situation. The CME needs to have all the available information to make a final determination. Leaving out pertinent information puts you and the CME at risk of losing your licenses.