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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 have a driver that one Doctor wants to put in a defibrillator which we know is a disqualifying event. He has had a 2nd opinion and that Doctor wants to start him on Entresto and then another heart scan after 4 weeks of starting the medicine. What are the chances of this driver getting a medical card again? Will we have to wait until the 4 weeks is up and the scan results are in?
@ Dave Z
He will need to wait for the scan results, and because he is starting a new drug/medication, he would have a 30 day wait to rule out ab-reactions/side effects.
Thanks for your reply. I thought that we may be in for a long haul here either way.
@ Dave Z
You are welcome, hope all turns out for the best for everyone.
I had a heart valve replacement. What do I need to do to return to work. I have a class B license
@ Bob O
You fall under your states guidelines and variances. Check with your local drivers license department for guidance.
I had an aortic bypass, due to an accident, when I was 18 years old. I am 52 years old now. I have high blood pressure which has been under control for years. I went to get my annual DOT physical and was given a three-month period to see a cardiologist ND have an ETT and ECG but I cannot get any CPT codes to find out exactly what this is going to cost and exactly what I need to have done to stay in compliance. The Minute Clinic will not order the tests. They say I have to go to the cardiologist who want to know what I need to have done by giving them the CPT codes. I have limited insurance with a $7,500 deductible. I’m at a loss. Any advice?
@ Butch
Go get a second opinion elsewhere. A ‘Doc in a box’ facilities is not your best choice as a driver.
I assume their report is in the system so it will be out there that I have had this surgery and I thought it was a DOT rule with this medical history. I haven’t seen a cardiologist in many years.
I had a heart attack with Stent placement in 2016. My cardiologist says a stress test isn’t necessary based on my ekgs and regular visits so insurance won’t cover it as it isn’t medically necessary. I have been able to get a cardiologist waiver until today, the cdl Dr said there’s no such thing. Can you please confirm whether or not that’s true, please. Thank you
@ Angie
For a class A driver, a stress test is required every two years via DOT/FMCSA. If you carry a lesser class cdl, then you fall under the states guidelines and variances.
If I have a stent, but I did not have a heart attack, is a stress test still necessary every two years for my class A medical?
@ Bob
DOT/FMCSA guidelines recommend it.
Diastolic dysfunction but all tests show strong heart can I still pass dot with this?
@ Adam
Make sure you bring your medical documentation and medical release form from your cardiologist to the examiner. He/she will base their final decision on all of the available information at the time of the examination.
I had a stent nine years ago, and my stress tests have been normal. Is it still necessary to have a stress every two years for my class 1 medical?
@ Bob
For class A, yes, every two years is still required by FMCSA.
If you are diagnosed with AFIb and request to wear a heart monitor for a couple weeks to confirm diagnosis, will that affect your CDL? PA.
@ Martie
Since cdl’s are state issued, it is unlikely that this situation will effect your license. It will effect your medical card, if the diagnosis is confirmed.
I had a triple bypass in the fall of 2015. I am applying, for the first time, for MN-DOT Certification. I’ve been doing great, no problems, but my last EKC was in 2017. Do I need a more recent one at this time?
@ David
Depending on the class cdl you are applying for. Class A will require a stress test every two years. Lesser class cdl’s fall under the states guidelines and variances. So check with your local drivers license department for clarification.
I’ve had a pacemaker put in along with my aortic valve, was installed 2 years ago with no problems can I still obtain health card and drive otr
@ John L
You will need supporting medical documentation for the CME. But, you could be fine to go OTR, if all else is within normal limits.
I had bypass heart surgery 14 months ago and had no problems cleared for full duty by cardiologist . Had cdl physical and every thing was great, but dr said I had to have eco cardio test every year before he would issue me my card is that correct ?
@ Dan
DOT/FMCSA requirements are every two years, not every year.
I had OPEN HEART SURGERY IN 1964 FOR A CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT WHICH WAS REPAIRED AND I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM NOR BEEN UNDER A DR’ S CARE FOR OVER FORTY YEARS, WAS I REQUIRED TO SEE A CARDIOLOGIST.
@ Renda T
For DOT/FMCSA, class A cdl, a letter from your cardiologist should be sufficient. For a lesser class cdl, it would depend on your states guidelines and requirements.
I have pvc s uncontrolled and hypertension well controlled. Will these disqualify me from getting a commercial license?
@ Cynthia M
For a class A, it will require some additional information before a final decision could be made. For a lesser class cdl, you may be fine, because it falls under the state s requirements, not federal DOT/FMCSA.
If someone has bicusbes aortic valve that was found during Altra sound and that say it needs to be replaced does that disqualify you immediately or after surgery
@ V Craig
Your condition may be a risk to yourself and the public at large. That needs to be taken into consideration by you. Once the surgery has been completed, and you are released to return to work, without limitations, you will need a new DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination.
5 years ago,I was diagnosed with CHF,Cardiomyopathy,Pulmonary Hypertension and High blood pressure.Since them,I’ve been taking meds to stabilize my condition.My last Echo shows an ejection fraction of 55 and ekg results were good.Im looking into a trucking career and want to know will I be able to obtain a DOT card.
@ Chris C
If all else is within normal limits on the physical examination, you should be fine. Your card will be limited to one year at a time. The CME may request additional documentation, but it should not be an issue.
On Jan 27-2022 i had the Svt ablation for my heart done
Was told by cardiologist Who performed their procedure that I can go back to work after a week of healing
Went back 2-9-22 to be cleared by the work doctor and was Told I had to be symptomatic for 4 weeks due to me having a CDL license is this true
@ Jason C
For a class A, interstate driver, yes. For a lesser class cdl, you will fall under the states guidelines and variances. So you would need to check with your state DLD.
I had a Myocardial Infarction on March of 2013. I have had regular stress tests bi-annually and there have been no other complications. Am I still required to have a release letter from a cardiologist every year? Since there have been no other issues and my BP is being managed very well with medication, I do not see a cardiologist anymore.
we are required to get a dot even though i do not drive i have a heart condition but the dot doctor failed me even though my heart doctor says i can drive with the condition what should i do
@ Deborah
Your medical examiner does not understand the differences between federal DOT/FMCSA guidelines for a class A driver and your states variances. Find a CME that does. Take your doctors documentation for the examiner so he understands and explain that you are under the states guidelines and variances, not federal.
@ Ken W
DOT/FMCSA requires the release for every DOT/FMCSA medical certification. See if you can get it when you do your stress test every couple years.
I am cdl holder drive for a living recently had ablation procedure on heart I am told have to be out 30 days before returning is this correct?
@ Richard
Wait period 30 days, then a new DOT medical certification examination before returning to driving.
Cdl Renewal following Carotid stent. Waiting period?
Thank you
@ Shauna
Thirty days and a full medical release from treating physicians, without restrictions or limitations, for a class A cdl. Lesser class cdl’s fall under the states guidelines.
Is Mitral valve a disqualifying heart problem.
@ Michael O
In and of itself, no. And there will be additional questions and request for medical documentation from the CME.