White Coat Syndrome And Blood Pressure

I have this sindrome and I'm interested event if after Dr's care my BP doesn't go down event with the medication will I still be able to drive cmv or not? Thank you all and God bless

White Coat Syndrome

Pretty good rundown on it - courtesy of WebMD.

As much as 20 percent of the population suffers from "white coat syndrome," in which blood pressure surges when measured in the doctor's office. The syndrome produces a challenge for physicians seeking an accurate blood pressure reading. But a fear response in a health care setting is perfectly normal because most people associate hospitals and clinics with sickness and injury, says Nathan Consedine, PhD, a health psychology researcher at Long Island University.

Do EVERYTHING YOU CAN to not spike it before you go in. No Coffee, No Nicotine, No Sodium.

Have a couple of bananas, drink water, take an extra aspirin (if you are on aspirin therapy) - and CHILL OUT. One place I got an exam at, let me lay down and relax for a 1/2 hour before they re-checked me.

Most people that spike over acceptable limits for a DOT Med Card (140/90) are usually suffering from hypertension ANYWAY.

If you cannot get your BP down, even on meds - then you can be DENIED a DOT Medical Card and will be UNABLE TO DRIVE.

YOUR DOT PHYSICAL AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Here's where it gets a little "weird". The REGS SAY:

"If a driver has hypertension and/or is being medicated for hypertension, he or she should be recertified more frequently. An individual diagnosed with Stage 1 hypertension (BP is 140/90–159/99) may be certified for one year. At recertification, an individual with a BP equal to or less than 140/90 may be certified for one year; however, if his or her BP is greater than 140/90 but less than 160/100, a one-time certificate for 3 months can be issued. An individual diagnosed with Stage 2 (BP is 160/100-179/109) should be treated and a one-time certificate for 3-month certification can be issued. Once the driver has reduced his or her BP to equal to or less than 140/90, he or she may be recertified annually thereafter. An individual diagnosed with Stage 3 hypertension (BP equal to or greater than 180/110) should not be certified until his or her BP is reduced to 140/90 or less, and may be recertified every 6 months."

But most companies will NOT ISSUE a DOT Med Card at a company physical - unless you are BELOW the 140/90 threshold - even though the regs will let you get a 1 year certificate on your first exam at up to 159/99 - then if you are not below 140/90 the following year, you get a 3 month only, to get it under control.

Rick

Thank you sir . Your comment was realy Helpfull. God bless you.

White Coat Syndrome

Pretty good rundown on it - courtesy of WebMD.

As much as 20 percent of the population suffers from "white coat syndrome," in which blood pressure surges when measured in the doctor's office. The syndrome produces a challenge for physicians seeking an accurate blood pressure reading. But a fear response in a health care setting is perfectly normal because most people associate hospitals and clinics with sickness and injury, says Nathan Consedine, PhD, a health psychology researcher at Long Island University.

Do EVERYTHING YOU CAN to not spike it before you go in. No Coffee, No Nicotine, No Sodium.

Have a couple of bananas, drink water, take an extra aspirin (if you are on aspirin therapy) - and CHILL OUT. One place I got an exam at, let me lay down and relax for a 1/2 hour before they re-checked me.

Most people that spike over acceptable limits for a DOT Med Card (140/90) are usually suffering from hypertension ANYWAY.

If you cannot get your BP down, even on meds - then you can be DENIED a DOT Medical Card and will be UNABLE TO DRIVE.

YOUR DOT PHYSICAL AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Here's where it gets a little "weird". The REGS SAY:

"If a driver has hypertension and/or is being medicated for hypertension, he or she should be recertified more frequently. An individual diagnosed with Stage 1 hypertension (BP is 140/90–159/99) may be certified for one year. At recertification, an individual with a BP equal to or less than 140/90 may be certified for one year; however, if his or her BP is greater than 140/90 but less than 160/100, a one-time certificate for 3 months can be issued. An individual diagnosed with Stage 2 (BP is 160/100-179/109) should be treated and a one-time certificate for 3-month certification can be issued. Once the driver has reduced his or her BP to equal to or less than 140/90, he or she may be recertified annually thereafter. An individual diagnosed with Stage 3 hypertension (BP equal to or greater than 180/110) should not be certified until his or her BP is reduced to 140/90 or less, and may be recertified every 6 months."

But most companies will NOT ISSUE a DOT Med Card at a company physical - unless you are BELOW the 140/90 threshold - even though the regs will let you get a 1 year certificate on your first exam at up to 159/99 - then if you are not below 140/90 the following year, you get a 3 month only, to get it under control.

Rick

That's interesting. I didn't know there was such a syndrome. I used to get mad with my parents that every time they went to the doctors' they'd get some new prescription. Whether pills or other procedures with other specialists. They had REALLY good insurance. Mom had 16 pills she took every day. They eventually killed her. They thought that doctors were gods. Whatever they said was from the highest authority. I couldn't change their minds that doctors look up in a book what ailments you have and the book says what pill to prescribe. If you want to get better, talk to a nurse. If you ask a nurse what they think of their doctors they'd say they are idiots. If it wasn't for nurses the doctors couldn't make it in the health field. I could write a book on the subject, but it's already been written. Find the cause of you're high blood pressure before your cork pops. Or go get your pills. It's your decision. Thanks for listening.

That's interesting. I didn't know there was such a syndrome. I used to get mad with my parents that every time they went to the doctors' they'd get some new prescription. Whether pills or other procedures with other specialists. They had REALLY good insurance. Mom had 16 pills she took every day. They eventually killed her. They thought that doctors were gods. Whatever they said was from the highest authority. I couldn't change their minds that doctors look up in a book what ailments you have and the book says what pill to prescribe. If you want to get better, talk to a nurse. If you ask a nurse what they think of their doctors they'd say they are idiots. If it wasn't for nurses the doctors couldn't make it in the health field. I could write a book on the subject, but it's already been written. Find the cause of you're high blood pressure before your cork pops. Or go get your pills. It's your decision. Thanks for listening.

Thanks for your "opinion" Nancy. Although, I believe you are painting with quite a broad brush.

Yes it exists. When I'm taking BP measurements at home I'm getting readings 130/90 145/80 . But when I go to Dr's office event I know they won't do nothing to me to hurt me or what ever I feel like I'm ready to lunch my self to the moon . So as of past Saturday I'm disqualified. I have a Dr's appt on Monday Feb 6th to see what I can do bout that. Thank you all God Bless

Igor, one more thing you can try to help is before you leave for your appointment, take 10 to 15 minutes to just do slow deep breathing and just be quite. Listen to music or whatever helps you to feel as relaxed as possible. As soon as you arrive at your appointment, do more deep slow breathing and just relaxing.

I know it's not easy because most people are going to naturally be more anxious before getting their BP since it is a pass or fail issue and the failing is what so many are worried about. One of the things that happens when we are in that situation is our breathing gets more rapid and more shallow. That can lead to less oxygen in our blood stream when we actually need more because of the nervousness and the body naturally ups the BP to compensate. If we breath deeper then more oxygen gets into our blood stream and there is less of a need for the heart to pump harder to get enough of it into all the areas that need it.

I wish you well and God Bless you too!

Igor, one more thing you can try to help is before you leave for your appointment, take 10 to 15 minutes to just do slow deep breathing and just be quite. Listen to music or whatever helps you to feel as relaxed as possible. As soon as you arrive at your appointment, do more deep slow breathing and just relaxing.

I know it's not easy because most people are going to naturally be more anxious before getting their BP since it is a pass or fail issue and the failing is what so many are worried about. One of the things that happens when we are in that situation is our breathing gets more rapid and more shallow. That can lead to less oxygen in our blood stream when we actually need more because of the nervousness and the body naturally ups the BP to compensate. If we breath deeper then more oxygen gets into our blood stream and there is less of a need for the heart to pump harder to get enough of it into all the areas that need it.

I wish you well and God Bless you too!

Thank you very much for your help. I'm trying that all this time . I wish they can come to my house to do physical I'll be getting a card for years hehe but I know that won't happen. I have no idea what is going on with me when comes to that part . Well I've had realy helpful answers to my questions from you guys . Thank you very much all and I wish all of u the best .

Igor, one more thing you can try to help is before you leave for your appointment, take 10 to 15 minutes to just do slow deep breathing and just be quite. Listen to music or whatever helps you to feel as relaxed as possible. As soon as you arrive at your appointment, do more deep slow breathing and just relaxing.

I know it's not easy because most people are going to naturally be more anxious before getting their BP since it is a pass or fail issue and the failing is what so many are worried about. One of the things that happens when we are in that situation is our breathing gets more rapid and more shallow. That can lead to less oxygen in our blood stream when we actually need more because of the nervousness and the body naturally ups the BP to compensate. If we breath deeper then more oxygen gets into our blood stream and there is less of a need for the heart to pump harder to get enough of it into all the areas that need it.

I wish you well and God Bless you too!

Thank you very much for your help. I'm trying that all this time . I wish they can come to my house to do physical I'll be getting a card for years hehe but I know that won't happen. I have no idea what is going on with me when comes to that part . Well I've had realy helpful answers to my questions from you guys . Thank you very much all and I wish all of u the best .

Igor, work with your personal physician. Remember, as a truck driver we are faced with many situations that can cause acute stress. If your body's response to external stimuli invokes an unsafe elevation in your BP (a flight or flight response), that is definitely a problem and over time can potentially create serious health issues for you.

If you are not currently taking medication to manage your BP, that may be your only alternative and contrary to Nancy's "anti-doc vent", definitely not the end of the world.

Thank you much for your response. Well all of this elevations in my BP I don't feel. At home I'm sort of OK but when I go to Dr's office goes high. Event I cool my self down . Not thinking bout that not helping me. I'm nervous as rabbit . But any way thank you .

Igor, one more thing you can try to help is before you leave for your appointment, take 10 to 15 minutes to just do slow deep breathing and just be quite. Listen to music or whatever helps you to feel as relaxed as possible. As soon as you arrive at your appointment, do more deep slow breathing and just relaxing.

I know it's not easy because most people are going to naturally be more anxious before getting their BP since it is a pass or fail issue and the failing is what so many are worried about. One of the things that happens when we are in that situation is our breathing gets more rapid and more shallow. That can lead to less oxygen in our blood stream when we actually need more because of the nervousness and the body naturally ups the BP to compensate. If we breath deeper then more oxygen gets into our blood stream and there is less of a need for the heart to pump harder to get enough of it into all the areas that need it.

I wish you well and God Bless you too!

Thank you very much for your help. I'm trying that all this time . I wish they can come to my house to do physical I'll be getting a card for years hehe but I know that won't happen. I have no idea what is going on with me when comes to that part . Well I've had realy helpful answers to my questions from you guys . Thank you very much all and I wish all of u the best .

Igor, work with your personal physician. Remember, as a truck driver we are faced with many situations that can cause acute stress. If your body's response to external stimuli invokes an unsafe elevation in your BP (a flight or flight response), that is definitely a problem and over time can potentially create serious health issues for you.

If you are not currently taking medication to manage your BP, that may be your only alternative and contrary to Nancy's "anti-doc vent", definitely not the end of the world.