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Q&A
What if I’ve have a Myocardial Infarction (MI)?
What if I’ve have coronary artery bypass surgery?
What if I’ve have angioplasty surgery or stents?
What if I’ve have ventricular tachycardia?
Can I get a DOT medical card if I have a defibrillator?
What if I take nitroglycerine for angina?
My medical certificate only expires in nine months. What if I recently developed a medical condition that I couldn’t drive. Can I drive truck again now?
Even if you currently have a ‘current’ medical certificate, you are prohibited from driving a CMV with any medical condition that would be disqualifying or may interfere with the safe operation of a CMV. Once a disqualifying medical condition is resolved, and before resuming operation of CMVs, you are responsible for obtaining re-certification from a Medical Examiner.
What if I’ve have a Myocardial Infarction (MI)?
You will need to be off work for at least two months. You will need to get an Ejection Fraction and Exercise Tolerance Test, and be cleared by your cardiologist before returning to work. This is a disqualifying medical condition, so once it is resolved, and before resuming operation of a CMV, you are responsible for obtaining re-certification from a Medical Examiner.
What if I’ve have coronary artery bypass surgery?
You will need to be off work for at least three months. You will need to get an Ejection Fraction and Exercise Tolerance Test, and be cleared by your cardiologist before returning to work. This is a disqualifying medical condition, so once it is resolved, and before resuming operation of a CMV, you are responsible for obtaining re-certification from a Medical Examiner.
What if I’ve have angioplasty surgery or stents?
You may return to work once you’ve been cleared by your cardiologist, which may be as soon as one week after the procedure. You will need to get an Exercise Tolerance Test three to six months after the procedure, and again at least every other year. This is a disqualifying medical condition, so once it is resolved, and before resuming operation of a CMV, you are responsible for obtaining re-certification from a Medical Examiner.
What if I’ve have ventricular tachycardia?
If you have recurring episodes you should be evaluated by a cardiologist to see if the underlying cause of the ventricular tachycardia is disqualifying.
Can I get a DOT medical card if I have a defibrillator?
The defibrillator is a disqualifier for inter-state driving. The defibrillator is designed to correct problems when they occur, but it still leaves a safety risk.
You may be able to drive inter-state, based on your state’s regulations.
What if I take nitroglycerine for angina?
Taking nitroglycerine is, of itself, not a disqualifier. The medical examiner may require an evaluation by your treating physician to make sure that your angina is stable.
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I had a mild heart attack which resulted in singular bypass surgery in 2018. Every year since I have gotten an EKG an echocardiogram and a stress test before renewing my medical certificate. Is that required every year?
@ Keith N
Stress test every two years, DOT/FMCSA requirements .
i had my dot physical and passed but i have a ejection fraction of the heart under 40 never had a heart attack or stroke and feel find but nurse said she could not give me a medical card , What can i do to get back driving
@ hartsell v p
Too many questions as to why a nurse would be looking at your LVEF, if there were no heart related issues.
My husband had a heart attack with a stent placed on Monday. One overnight stay at hospital and cardiologist cleared him to work Wednesday (knowing he was a CDL A truck driver). He went to a urgent care today to get signed off from a DOT physician and they said he had to be out of work for 2 months before they could pass him and that he would need a stress test prior. Is this correct that he has to be out of work for a minimum of 2 months?!
@ Marcy
DOT/FMCSA for a class A interstate driver requires a three month waiting period and a stress test before returning to interstate driving. Intra-state only, goes by the states guidelines and variances. You could check with your states DLD and see if he can drive intra-state only for the waiting period.