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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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Had CHF for 2 1/2 years EF is now normal and ICD is turned off can I return to work?
@ Paul B
Possibly, depending on many factors. First is a full release to return to work, without restrictions or limitations, from your cardiologist.
Ok I just got what they call a LVAD put in 2 months ago… i get to do my Ejection infraction now on the 31st of this month… if my LVEF is more then 40% will i be able to get my DOT card… and I live in New York state
@ Juan C D
Your situation is going to have some questions raised and will need some additional documentation. But it is possible to get your medical card back.
I have a driver who had a heart attack whose last 5 EKGs and EJECTION fraction numbers have been hood. Does he still need the EKG yearly?
@ MELVIN K
Yes. DOT/FMCSA requirement.
Cant find any mention of Bradycardia? All else is working fine on me 6 years after triple bypass but my rating heart rate as low as 48 at times.
@ Ken
The CME will request additional documentation from your cardiologist, but you could be OK.
I had open heart surgery five years ago for bypass because of the cholesterol
Where I sometimes felt pain in the chest when I exerted a hard effort or jogging. after the operation all the symptoms disappeared.
The doctor prescribed me atorvastatin for the cholesterol and it is now at the normal level.and Metoprolol as a precaution ,
I did not suffer from high blood pressure at all stages before and after the operation. All tests are normal and the last one was two months ago.
I live my life working and exercising without any problems or symptoms
Can I get DOT Physical and medical certificate.
This is the first time.
@ Amin A
Yes, you would most likely be qualified for a medical certification examination. The CME will request some additional documentation from your cardiologist.
I had open heart surgery to repair my mitrol valve 2 months ago. I have been released by my cardiologist to go back to work but the doctor doesn’t understand what was fixed and keeps calling it a disease and it’s not.
@ Michael O
Either get a note from your cardiologist explaining the repair, or go else where to get your medical card renewed.
My DOT medical card expired in the middle of getting treated for bypass surgery will I have to start all over again or do I have a grace period before I can get reinstated.
@ James
Given the circumstances, we suspect there would br a grace period. But, confirm with your local drivers license department.
Can i pass a dot test after my heart transplant
@ Jay
As long as you can perform the duties of a cmv operator, without restrictions or limitations, you should be fine.
Be aware that there is a one year waiting period before eligibility to take a new medical certification examination. Medical card will be limited to one year at the time.
I had a heart attack July 19th, 2021, do not take meds anymore & no longer see a heart Dr, will I still need a note from a cardiologist to take the DOT Physical ?
@ Stormy
The CME will be looking for a medical release form from your cardiologist and possibly some additional supporting medical documentation.
Bummer
I Had Open Heart Surgey In Dec.15, Pacemaker Installed Dec 23 Before I Left The Hospitol (It’s Not A Defibrillator Pacemaker). Then I Had A Stent Put In April 28 . My Medical Card Expired March 25.Trying To Get Resertified DOT Physical. Doctor Told Me Have To Wait 3 Months Before I Can Get A Ejection Fraction And Exercise Tolerance Test. Is This True?
@ Gary
3 months from your last procedure and then looking for a LVEF of 40% or better, that is DOT/FMCSA guidelines recommendations.
LVEF is the Ejection Fraction measurement? -or….
@ Stormy
Left Ventricular Ejection Factor.
I had my stress test done. It was the myoview with the IV medicine so it showed my lvef is 64% and i did the treadmill. It was not an echocardiogram though so will i still need to do that even though it shows the lvef?
@ Dale
This information should be satisfactory. It will fall to the CME to make his final decision on what actual information he wants to use to aid him in his decision making process.
I had open heart surgery 4 years ago for a aneurysm of the aorta and valve replaced do I still need a cardiologist report before getting a dot physical
@ Michael A M
The CME may request additional information to help aid in his decision making process. Best to be prepared with a report in hand.
Does starting coumadin requiring a waiting period before I can get my new DOT card?
@ Whitney
30 days, looking for any type of ab-reaction or negative side effects. Then good to go.
Had a cardiac ablation. How long before able to return to work?
@ John D
1 month, then a new DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination. The CME may request additional documentation and will need a release to return to work, without restrictions or limitations.
Hey there, thanks for the great info and insight.
Will taking metoprolo for afib disqualify cdl med card?
@ dave
It may require some additional information from your prescribing physician, but is not a disqualifier, in and of itself.
Can someone who has been prescribed Eloquis still drive or do they need a re-examination. His current cdl is good through 10-23; but employer wants him to check with a DOT Dr. ….
@ Mary
There was a reason this driver was placed on these medications. Those reasons need to be re-evaluated by the DOT/FMCSA medical examiner. The medication itself is not the challenge, the reason for the prescription is.
I recently had a defib/pacemaker placed in December, I have no physical heart problem but had 1 episode in December, it was placed as a safety precaution, why should I be made to lose my CDL completely, is there a away I can fight this. Especially if this device hasn’t fired in 6 months.
@ John
You don’t lose your cdl because you have a defibrillator, but by DOT/FMCSA, for a class A interstate driver, you have restrictions. Lesser class cdl’s are under the states regulations, just like an intra-state driver. If you want to fight it, DOT/FMCSA.gov.
If I need to take chemo for blood/bone disease and I have a year left on my current medical. Can I work with my company during my illness or do I loos my medical?
@ AK
DOT/FMCSA for a class A driver. Your medical card will be invalid once you start your treatments. You would need a new medical card examination, once released to return to work. Lesser class cdl’s are state regulated.
My doctor wants me to get a pacemaker, will I still be able to get my DOT physical card
@ Mike
Once fully recovered, you should be fine. You may need to provide some additional documentation for the medical examiner, but the pacemaker is not a disqualification. A defibrillator is another story and would be a disqualification by DOT/FMCSA for a class A.
I drive a airport shuttle van in Minnesota. I’m a non CDL driver transporting less than 13 passengers to and from the airport 60 miles away.
Last week my family doctor diagnosed me with AFIB and prescribed ELIQUIS. Next week I need to renew my DOT medical card.
Will I be disqualified because of my new condition?
@ Mark
Since you are not a class A driver or a cdl holder, you fall under your states guidelines and variances. Make sure the examiner knows you have no cdl and you are under the states requirements, not federal DOT/FMCSA.