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 your weight alone be a factor for being denied a medical card for a CDL in Texas?
@Preston
No, there is no weight restrictions via FMCSA. It usually has to do with other issues that are connected to excessive weight. And there may be a company policy restriction.
i was baker act on a suspicious of alcohol intoxication and perceived suicidal ideation . i looking for psychiatrist to get the medical release and was told by the dr doing the certification that i was take out for one year until i could apply for new card . is this tue . thank you
@Julian
Pretty much. If you can support that things are doing fine and your medical doctor will sign a medical release form, then maybe, but don’t count on it. FMCSA has a pretty strict set of guidelines on this one.
I am wanting to apply to trucker school to obtain my CDL. I have been taking hydrocodone for Fibromyalgia for 10 plus years, will this be a problem. I do have a physician order for it.
@Cindy
You will need to make sure that you have a medical release form from your prescribing doctor explaining your condition and the need for the medications that you are taking. If the CME understands your doctor release then you may get a valid medical card. You will test positive on the drug screen and you will need to have a copy of your prescription available at all times. Let the CME know what and why you are taking the medication, because it will be a big question before you ever get started.
I am having an issue getting a response regarding whether I passed or failed a sleep apnea test for my DOT physical. Everytime I call the location that had given me the test, they either don’t call me back or no one answers. Since starting this process(I have not been able to work) this process took 3 times bringing the machine home, they were unable to get a reading then I went to the clinic facilitating test to have an observed test done , this was originally only supposed to take 2 weeks and it is now going on 6 weeks since being on the road.
Will you please advise, I can not get intouch with anyone. I am currently seeing my Primary Doctor who was helping me and now his hands are tied.
I am at a loss, any advise/suggestions,
-Rick Dubey(Wisconsin OTR driver)
@Rick
It sounds like you pick a crap company to do your testing.
Unfortunately, you need the sleep study information in hand before any CME can issue a new medical card. If there is a parent company to the one you use, then call the main office and request some action. Also let the better business bureau know about the sad service you have received and what it has cost you in time and money.
I’ve been a diabetic for 6years,at one time I was only taking metformin which is a pill.Later in the years I inquire about insulin.Will that disqualify me to pass a Dot physical taking insulin?KG
@Kevin
You will need to go through the DOT to acquire a Diabetes waiver to drive interstate. You are not disqualified, but you will have to carry the waiver at all times and your medical card will only be for a year at a time.
I have been driving tractor-trailers since 1981 in all 48 and 6 trips up and back on the Alcan Highway. I have never had an accident and only two speeding tickets, 25 something years ago. I am 51 and I have never been denied a medical card.
I went for my physical, I stepped on the scale to be weighted and it said 305 lbs. I told the lady that I did not weigh that much, she said “it is what it is”. After a respectable protest I reweighed on another scale and it read 275 lbs., that’s correct. She then checked my blood pressure and she said it was 168/97 with an attitude. My BP has never been that high, and I don’t think it was.
I have disc issues in my back and have to take Lortab 10/325, I don’t take them while I driving if I don’t have to but my prescription is for three a day. I have been taking them for 10 years because that it the best balance for pain and not being a vegetable. She said DOT will not allow me to drive while taking Narcotic’s even though it states in the Regs. all you need is a prescribing doctors letter. She also said the prescribing doctor had to be DOT certified, if that was the case I wouldn’t have been there.
I quit smoking years ago and told her that, she explained to me because I had smoked I might have asthma/COPD so I will be required to take a Pulmonary Function test that their office will be more than happy to do for a small fee.
I was given a Temporarily Disqualified for High PB and Narcotic use. Everything I suggested was stopped short with “The DOT will not do that”, I think the doctors are not following the guidelines and doing what they think should be done.
Do I have to go back to the same doctor or can I go to another doctor. I don’t think I’m getting a fair deal.
Thanks, for any guidance your could give. KB
@Ken
You can go to any nationally registered certified medical examiner you want.
If you are taking medications for your back pain, make sure you have a medical release form completed by your prescribing doctor explaining your situation and need for the medications that you are taking. It is going to cause questions and all the CME is looking for is safety issues. So make sure you doctor explains your needs and how you are presently using the medications that you have been on for the past ten years.
Drinking a full glass of water is a great idea. I get nervous for lots of things, and I think that water would definitely help calm me down and lower my blood pressure. I also specifically like your comment about talking about something calming or enjoyable. If I talk about something besides a test, before a test, then I’m more likely to do better on that exam. Thanks for your tips.
Thanks for the tips!!! I find this site a great resource for CdL drivers. We are being discriminated against because of a few bad apples. I am a bus driver, and would never be able to do what cross country truck drivers do. They deserve all the respect in the world. When it comes the medical exam, one can absolutely understand they want drivers of larger vehicles in good health. But it seems like everyone has to be twig size in order to pass. Why us? Of course a CMV is larger and more damage could be done, but why are regular drivers not having to deal with this? Don’t we see more accidents involving normal vehicles, cars, SUVs, etc….? And this sleep apnea this is bs. Sorry for this long rant, my physical was last week and was an awful experience. How can a “doctor”, which who I had was not all, an “assistant” go by 2 standards alone and make you pay this ridiculous amount of money for something you don’t need just to give you your med cert? He doesn’t know you, your health history, etc.. Ugh