Yet Another BP Question… Talk About Beating The Proverbial Dead Horse!

I've been searching for days for the answer and finally realized that I should probably just ask here; the home of the answer guys.

120-139 / 80-89 = 2 year certification 140-159 / 90-99 = 1 year certification 160-179 / 100-109 = 3 month temporary certification (at doctors discretion) 180-over / 110-over = Disqualifying

Are the requirements for blood pressure medicated or unmedicated? I would like to think that they are the unmedicated readings, as your medication SHOULD bring you into a normal 120/80 range. True?

What is confusing is that you eyesight must be at least 20/40 or better correctable vision. Meaning, as long as you wear eyeglasses and/or contacts that get you into the 20/40 range, you're okay, regardless that you're as blind as a mole without them. (I didn't say bat because bats have excellent eyesight!)

So all things being equal, if my unmedicated blood pressure is, let's say 143/100, but with medication I'm at 120/80, I would be okay to go, wouldn't I? In other words, as long as I'm taking medication that gets me in the "normal" range, everything will be fine?

I've just got to let this go. My pressure keeps going up every time I think of this subject.

Medicated or without medication, if your BP is within the range, you are good to go. Personally, I believe that if oyu don't have hypertension before you become a trucker, you will have it during your career....lol

I did not check the numbers to verify your findings but I will say that Company Policy can be more strict than that of the DOT .

While there are certain criteria to pass a DOT physical , no matter if its vision , prescription meds or vital signs the Company can impose its own requirements and deny employment based on their own rules .

Bottom line is DOT may say you are fit to drive but certain companies may still deny your application .

~S~

Medicated or without medication, if your BP is within the range, you are good to go. Personally, I believe that if oyu don't have hypertension before you become a trucker, you will have it during your career....lol

So true of many professions. Listening to soothing music, meditation, eating right, getting some exercise, and learning to realize that "this too shall pass" goes a long way in controlling it no matter what you're doing in life. I am in THE MOST stressful time of my life right now and I have LOWERED my blood pressure to normal without meds. Another great thing for the body is soaking in hot water. We are a society of showers, but I have learned that a hot bath is good for the body.

I did not check the numbers to verify your findings but I will say that Company Policy can be more strict than that of the DOT .

While there are certain criteria to pass a DOT physical , no matter if its vision , prescription meds or vital signs the Company can impose its own requirements and deny employment based on their own rules .

Bottom line is DOT may say you are fit to drive but certain companies may still deny your application .

~S~

Bingo! The company CAN send you home for being above the 140/90 threshold (probably will) where the DOT only says you need to test more often (I guess to make sure the plumbing hasn't sprung a leak). If you are NOT medicated, then medication will probably be the most straight forward and quickest solution. You may also already be controlling it with medication in which case your physician would have to change dosage and/or type to make a difference in BP. If you have time, incorporate ALL of the good suggestions you have seen here but don't leave out the medication option - don't cut off your nose to spite your face. AFTER you pass you can make the more ORGANIC corrections over a longer, sustained effort to get pill free and overall healthier (along with many other types of maladies) but unless you've been a hippy all of your life, you will probably be starting down that track as a newbee . . .

Jopa