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 had tia mild stroke January 29,2018 treated and held overnight for observation neurologist cleared me to go back to work with no restrictions, but when I went to renew my health card dr. said no driving for one year. I have class a cdl. what is up?
@ Randy S
FMCSA is strict on this due to re-occurance of another stroke. You may want to check into intra-state only driving during your wait period. Check with your local drivers license department to confirm.
I live in Texas and my dot medical card expire on 03/19/2017 but i do not get paid until the 21st. can they give me a grace period for a few day, or what is the penalty if i wait those 2 days?
@ JB W
Check with your states drivers license department for the best answer.
Per Federal Law, you may not drive a commercial vehicle while your card has expired. You can operate non commercial vehicles. Usually, companies will accommodate situations as yours with non diving jobs or your approved leave
I had cardiac stents in march 2005.I don’t have any problems with them and even went to Iraq in 2007 until 2010.I had my re-certification recently and the dr said I need a stress test.I was given a 3 month medical card.My insurance won’t pay and the dr told me the cost is between $2000 and $3000.Is the stress test a new requirement?He said all my vital signs were normal.
@ Robert G C
Heart conditions that fall in certain categories would require a new stress test every two years. FMCSA passed those guidelines some years ago.
my husband went to for his medical exam to renew his medical card. He did not pass the BP test….they waited a few minutes and retook it and it was 140/90…so he was happy…..but the doctor said it had to be constant so he did not pass him. Is that right?
They gave him a prescription for BP and an extension on the card.
They also went on and took a blood sample, which is not in the requirements, correct?
I know this is old….. honestly he should have walked out… told him he was discontinuing the exam. Once you are on blood pressure medication, you can only get 1 year cards. He was exhibiting “white coat syndrome”….. a common thing where people are nervous, and their blood pressure is high. You are paying them for the exam….. They are working for you. Yes, they have to follow the regulations. Sounds like you went to a regular doctor…. who wanted to sell you on a prescription, and follow up. I had my exam done at a chiropractor. He was very thorough (any doctor has to go through medical school) but he was just doing his job with the DOT physical, no more, no less. The only “upsell” was he did recommend I see a regular doctor once a year.
So u can have chiropractic do exams for physical d.o.t
@ Antonio
If the Chiropractor is on the national registry, then yes he is qualified to perform the DOT medical certification examination.
I took my DOT physical yesterday, my heart rate was too high so they gave me a medical card good for 1 month. I have to go on blood pressure meds then within this month i have to go back to be rechecked. Do i wait until i get a new card before i take my CDL permit test, or can i take it now?
You can but you have to answer questions regarding to past drug positive testing when applying to carriers
I’m from Florida can I have have my medical card in Georgia or any other state
@ Makenson
Yes.
I just took my DOT physical here in California. BP was 141/88 and I was failed. I also used my CPAP machine for 68% of the time according to the print out I used my CPAP machine for 68% of the time. 70% is required. So I failed that too. I was told there are no longer 90 day extensions on Cpap compliances so I can’t drive for 7 days and after 7 days must show that I used the machine more then 70% in those 7 days and then I can drive for 30 days and show the report again and if passed I get a 1 year authorization to drive. When did the NO 90 day license extension take effect,? Does it also apply to borderline high blood pressure?
Is acceptable to lay down or recline for bp test during physical?
Do the medical examiners check your medical/prescription history on a database? or do they just go by written form filled out by driver?
@Glen
They can check the data base.