Yet Another Blood Pressure Scare

So I'm currently sitting at the mothership in Springfield, MO, having rolled in yesterday for some shop time and also to renew my 2 year DOT physical. The shop time went great. The physical... not so much.

Some background history: During the physical at orientation 2 years ago, my BP spiked to 160/100. Later that afternoon they tested me again and it was the same. They had me come in the following morning for a 3rd attempt. Luckily, through drinking lots of water and deep meditation prior to and during the test I was able to bring the BP down to acceptable levels.

In the time since, I track my BP regularly through self testing and with my doctor. Most of the time I fall within the normal range at or around 120/80, sometimes a tic higher.

So for the past couple of weeks leading up to yesterday's physical, I've been extra careful with my diet. No coffee, no sodium, fruits and veggies, lots of water, etc. Yet I was still nervous about the physical.

So nervous in fact that my BP yesterday tested at 175/110... What!?!

Thoughts of being shut down flashed through my mind. I couldn't believe this was happening to me again. How can I let an easy peasy physical get me so worked up?

They let me lie down for about 15 minutes before testing again. Once again I went into deep meditation and just focused on relaxing, and once again that did the trick. The next test had me at 130/78 and I was cleared. An hour later I tested myself again and was at 122/80.

I guess I'm telling you all this to show that BP is sometimes a wildly fluctuating thing. Stress can play a huge factor in the numbers. You gotta just relax and let the stress go. Ask them to let you lie down if you need to.

That is all. Carry on.

I’m happy to hear you got through that, a bit tense without a doubt. Your very right stress causes far more problems on the body than most folks ever realize. Sometimes we ste our own worst enemy.

Glad the BP came down for you. What you experienced is real, has an actual medical diagnosis...

White Coat Syndrome

I get a little case of White Coat syndrome whenever I get my BP checked. Kind of ironic since I work in healthcare right now and for the past 11+ years lol Knowing that this number will be extra important when it comes time for the DOT physical, it makes me extra anxious. Working on more water intake and eliminating stress as I can!

Glad you got your BP down and all is well! Stay safe out there =)

Since we're on the topic I'll point out some info we have on blood pressure requirements for the DOT physical and some tips for lowering it short term and long term:

Blood Pressure Requirements For The DOT Physical

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Guidelines & Advice

Another thing is being in pain will also raise BP. My BP is normally in the 110 / 70 range. During the years that I was in the worse pain for my back; my BP would regularly be 150 / 90. Granted I was in constant pain with spikes in the pain that would literally paralyze me and take my breath away.

So if you are nursing an injury your BP will be higher than normal.

Glad the BP came down for you. What you experienced is real, has an actual medical diagnosis...

White Coat Syndrome

Both my doctor and the physician at Prime mentioned this, though not in as much detail, and without specifically naming it. So it's interesting to see an actual diagnosis. Thanks for taking the time to look that up G-Town.

At regular visits to my doctor I don't experience the problem. It's only been during the "official" DOT physical. I know it's silly but I guess I figure my job is on the line, and stress out needlessly over it.

I'll continue to keep an eye on it for sure.

Glad the BP came down for you. What you experienced is real, has an actual medical diagnosis...

White Coat Syndrome

Both my doctor and the physician at Prime mentioned this, though not in as much detail, and without specifically naming it. So it's interesting to see an actual diagnosis. Thanks for taking the time to look that up G-Town.

At regular visits to my doctor I don't experience the problem. It's only been during the "official" DOT physical. I know it's silly but I guess I figure my job is on the line, and stress out needlessly over it.

I'll continue to keep an eye on it for sure.

I think this might be my first post...

I've been an Emergency Room/ICU nurse for almost all of my career. G-Town beat me to the call, but I can tell you "White Coat Hypertension" is a very real thing. Saw it all the time...leave the patient alone and let them calm down....good BP.

Now to keep on learning about this truck driving thing...time to go back and write an introduction.

BillR Nashville TN

This stuff seems to work pretty good for my blood pressure and keep me off medications (usually accompanied with side effects). Check it out:

http://www.heartandbodyextract.com

I will be attending CDL school next month and am pretty excited, I appreciate any advice here in the forum.

Thanks.

Carlos

Hey Turtle

Glad you got your BP under control. DOT BP test always sent me before into hyper mode. Don't know why. When I go to regular doctor it's always good, 125/75. I am told for a 65 year old that is good. Anyway I'm babbling again. Glad you got it under control.

Joanne

Like the new pic. Also how do you keep your BP under control with teenagers? LOL

Raptor