Physical

I take blood pressure pills and today I had a doctor's appointment my blood pressure was high not dangerously high but high enough to have issues passing the physical. It was 140 over 100 and I assume i would either get only 3 months or they would fail me. My doctor wasnt concerned he chalked it up to stress and needing to cut sodium out of my diet my question is would I pass a physical or do I need to think about asking the doctor to give me a higher dosage?? I don't exactly eat right so maybe I could stand to change my diet. I know you guys aren't doctors but I would appreciate any help here. I have to assume I'm not the only one that has slightly high blood pressure

We have a great resource on Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Guidelines & Advice which includes ways to lower your blood pressure in the short and long term.

We also have the DOT Physical Guidelines For Blood Pressure

140/90 is the ideal number for your blood pressure to pass the physical. You need to be at that or below. You need to lower that diastolic number.

Eliminate the sodium as much as possible. Plenty of water and try to exercise when possible. Even getting out and taking a 15 minute walk each night would pay huge dividends towards your BP.

Do you ever take your blood pressure at home with your own machine? You may have white coat syndrome..I do, everytime I go to the doctor my BP goes up, when I take it at home it is usually normal. It gets so dang frustrating too..I also take bp meds and up my dose a little bit before I go to the doc to compensate for my added anxiety. I already passed my DOT physical for my permit but am afraid I will blow it when I go to my company physical because I have so much on the line. Its absurd because I am in great health. If I sit there a minute and ask the doc to give me a break of at least three minutes before taking it again it will usually go back to normal..maybe give that a shot next time, good luck! This exact problem kept me out of the Marine Corps almost 30 years ago

I was wondering the same thing my anxiety level has been through the roof lately and I do get nervous when I go to the doctor or when i take a physical. Last year I was so nervous when I took my DOT physical my blood pressure was so high she was only going to give it to me for three months but she retook it a few more times and even waited a while to retake it each time my BP dropped as I got lesss nervous and she finally got it low enough to give it to.me for a year now. I need to renew it and I havemajor anxiety plus. I know i have to take a second physical too

I was wondering the same thing my anxiety level has been through the roof lately and I do get nervous when I go to the doctor or when i take a physical. Last year I was so nervous when I took my DOT physical my blood pressure was so high she was only going to give it to me for three months but she retook it a few more times and even waited a while to retake it each time my BP dropped as I got lesss nervous and she finally got it low enough to give it to.me for a year now. I need to renew it and I havemajor anxiety plus. I know i have to take a second physical too

Have you talked to your doctor? They also may be able to prescribe you something like Lisinopril if it is needed.

I found out yesterday that bp read manually is more accurate than readings from digital machines. Saw a cardiologist yesterday where they took two readings manually. Both times the systolic reading was less than 120 (116, 118). Last Friday at my PPs clinic same thing with a digital machine. Readings were 160 and 140. Got a prescription but thank God l hadn't taken a single tab. I only take meds only when l have no other choice.

I stressed about BP before my company physical. I took 10mg Lysinopril daily for years.

The day of the physical my BP was really high. They asked me to rest 10 minutes and they retook it. It was acceptable. That was one year ago next week.

I've lost 50lbs since I started driving in January and I got off the meds earlier this year. Just had my annual physical & got a two year card.

Hang in there.

Also don't use any caffeine for at least a couple days before the physical, it raises blood pressure.

Yea I am starting to think it might be something as simple as cutting sodium out of my diet I noticed alot of foods i eat have quite a bit of sodium I lost about 15 lbs and went for a checkup and my BP was 140 over 100 I figured with the weight loss mt BP would be good but I know I wont pass a physical so I need to find out if it was because I was nervous or that my pressure is high and then make some adjustments but the stress of passing a pyhsical every year will drive me insane

We have a great resource on Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Guidelines & Advice which includes ways to lower your blood pressure in the short and long term.

We also have the DOT Physical Guidelines For Blood Pressure