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.
I was given a one year medical card due to alittle high blood pressure can I get a two year card next time if it is good.
@Mike
Possibly, if you are not taking any type of blood pressure medication or have not been on any medications before.
The new FMCSA forms ask if you have ‘ever’ had, so if it was a one time high and no meds, then you could be OK.
Best bet is to watch your lifestyle and see if you can get it down by yourself. Check your blood pressure every couple of weeks, and have a real doctor check it, not one of the free automatic ones.
If everything is going fine then you should be good. If after a six month period your pressure is still a bit high, then check with your doctor about how to get it down further. If placed on meds, then the medical card will only be good for one year at the time. Good Luck
Can a company require that you are only able to use a certain CME?
@Allen
All depends on the company policy. But in reality you have the right to go to any CME that is on the national registry.
I would think that if the company is requiring and paying for the physical, then they probably are within their rights to select the place in which you will go. I have had this happen a few times and just followed the orders from the company as it was a pre-employment physical, and they were indeed picking up the tab.
Here’s the thing….. if your company says you have to go to a certain examiner, then you do. If you think you will have an issue there, NOTHING says that you can’t pay for your own exam, and choose your own examiner. The cost is not all that much, I had it done for $70. Then you show up to your company doctor,,,, you get the exam….. doesn’t matter if they pass or fail, you already have your DOT card. If they fail you and your company won’t employ you, you have a CDL and a DOT card…… there are 500 companies hiring.
@ Jason
Be aware, if the last examiner fails the driver and reports it to the FMCSA registry, then the last card reported is the one on file.
On November 3rd 2015 I had a high blood pressure reading during my DOT physical for the first time in thirty years. I was given a three month card and told to see my personal physician. He instructed me to monitor BP for two weeks. Upon completion and getting great results on a cholesterol test I was told I did not need blood pressure medicine. Two months later I went back for DOT physical and passed with a second reading of 138/88 but was only given a one year card. What do my readings have to be this time to pass? I still do not take blood pressure medicine and have readings at home between 120/80 to 145/95.I will be 53 Nov.23
@Michael
Blood pressure reading at the time of examination need to be 140/90 or less. If you are not taking any medications then you could qualify for a two year card. If there is a history of high blood pressure in the past, then the CME may hold you to a one year card. He really only wants to monitor your situation before signing off on a two year card. All of this is based on everything else being within normal limits.
I took my physical in February. They used a machine that kept repumping and gave a slightly eleven ed pressure. I requested a manual pressure test which produced a reading of 140/90. The doctor failed me and issued a 90 day certificate because she said it had to be less than 140/90! My physician has increased my med but I am panicking servery and I am afraid. What is next?
@Steve
FMCSA guidelines require a 140/90 or better. As long as you are at those levels, you will be fine. You do want your pressures down below the guidelines recommended, and your card will be good for one year at the time. The three month card was for you to have your doctor reassess your meds and get your pressure below the cut-off.
If your Medical card expired is there a grace period
I’m a first time cdl applicant and I take clonazepam for social anxiety is that going to affect my obtaining a medical? Is that something that I need a release form for before I take my first physical? Thank you.
@Daniel
Yes, get a medical release form from your doctors. The CME needs as much information as possible to make the final determination. If the condition is controlled and has been for some time, you may be OK. But make sure you can provide supporting documentation.
recently due 2 high blood pressure reading i was given a 3 month card, now its back time 2 take the physical again and im on new meds to help control my blood pressure is it possible 2 get another 3 month card if my blood pressure is still at a high reading?
@Theo
No. You get a one-time 3-month card to get your blood pressure under control.
The CME may take it under consideration if it looks like the new medication is helping, but that’s only a ‘maybe’.
while pilots have a limit of 155/95 most are one year tckets
Do you have to get your dot physical in your home state?