Worried About My DOT Physical ( BP)
Topic 7330 | Page 1
I got it checked and itbwas high. However, they didn't have the correct size sleeve. I had this situation once before and my BP turned out to be OK. BUT worst case scenario if I only get a 3 month certificate, do you think they'll allow me to start the training if I can get medication quickly?
But according to an article u just read, too small of a cuff, the cuff over clothing, a full bladder and talking during the test can substantially increase the reading. All 4 of those where happening and I was just over. I think I'll be fine in the real deal.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I got it checked and itbwas high. However, they didn't have the correct size sleeve. I had this situation once before and my BP turned out to be OK. BUT worst case scenario if I only get a 3 month certificate, do you think they'll allow me to start the training if I can get medication quickly?
I hear you, mine was high and they let me take it three times because I normally am in the green. If I would of had to go with my first one I would have only gotten a one year card, but barely passed to get the two year card. Working drastically on trying to get back in shape, jogging, eating proper diet, and taking supplements to support healthy BP. My concern is when you show up to the training after achieving CDL. I gained thirty pounds in the last three months of that dangerous belly fat, holidays and little movement. I believe every company will do health test and that is when some are sent home. So if you change companies after six months then another health check.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Even if you test normal - the BP test is supposed to be run more than once.
The problem with the 3 month card is - YOU ONLY GET ONE. And your hypertension really has to be Stage II (160-179/100-109) for this to happen.
Now - there are some differences in COMPANY PHYSICALS and DOT MED PHYSICALS.
FMCSA Regs - call for a 2 year card if UNDER 140/90. 140-159/90-99 is supposed to be a 1 year card. If you are HIGHER THAN THAT - then you are supposed to get the 3 MONTH CARD - to get on meds and get stabilized - at which time, you will get a 1 year card.
Hypertension ยง 391.41(b)(6)
A person is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if that person:
Has no current clinical diagnosis of high blood pressure likely to interfere with ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely. Hypertension alone is unlikely to cause sudden collapse; however, the likelihood increases when target organ damage, particularly cerebral vascular disease, is present. This regulatory criteria is based on FMCSA's Cardiovascular Advisory Guidelines for the Examination of CMV Drivers, which used the Sixth Report of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (1997).
Stage 1 hypertension corresponds to a systolic BP of 140-159 mmHg and/or a diastolic BP of 90-99 mmHg. The driver with a BP in this range is at low risk for hypertension-related acute incapacitation and may be medically certified to drive for a one-year period. Certification examinations should be done annually thereafter and should be at or less than 140/90.1f less than 160/100, certification may be extended one time for 3 months.
A blood pressure of 160-179 systolic and/or 100-1 09 diastolic is considered Stage 2 hypertension, and. the driver is not necessarily unqualified during evaluation and institution of treatment. The driver is given a one time certification of three months to reduce his or her blood pressure to less than or equal to 140/90. A blood pressure in this range is an absolute indication for antihypertensive drug therapy. Provided treatment is well tolerated and the driver demonstrates a BP value of 140/90 or less, he or she may be certified for one year from date of the initial exam. The driver is certified annually thereafter.
A blood pressure at or greater than 180 (systolic) and 110 (diastolic) is considered Stage 3, high risk for an acute BP-related event. The driver may not be qualified, even temporarily, until reduced to 140/90 or less and treatment is well tolerated. The driver may be certified for 6 months and biannually (every 6 months) thereafter if at recheck BP is 140/90 or less.
Annual recertification is recommended if the medical examiner does not know the severity of hypertension prior to treatment. An elevated blood pressure finding should be confirmed by at least two subsequent measurements on different days.
Treatment includes nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic modalities as well as counseling to reduce other risk factors. Most antihypertensive medications also have side effects, the importance of which must be judged on an individual basis. Individuals must be alerted to the hazards of these medications while driving. Side affects of somnolence or syncope are particularly undesirable in commercial drivers.
Secondary hypertension is based on the above stages. Evaluation is warranted if patient is persistently hypertensive on maximal or near-maximal doses of 2-3 pharmacologic agents. Some causes of secondary hypertension may be amenable to surgical intervention or specific pharmacologic disease. (See Cardiovascular Advisory Panel Guidelines for the Medical Examination of Commercial Motor vehicle Drivers at: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/ medreports.htm)
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Rick
Commercial Motor Vehicle:
A commercial motor vehicle is any vehicle used in commerce to transport passengers or property with either:
- A gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more
- A gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more which includes a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Hypertension:
Abnormally high blood pressure.
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Hey guys, I have been studying for over 2 weeks now and I found out today that I wouldn't be able to pass my DOT physical because I'm on some medication that will disqualify me if I was to take it. I was really lookiing forward to dropping my 100% disablity from the VA to become a truck driver. From what I understand from my reading I can't get a waiver for the meds I'm taking either and I don't wanna stop taking them either cause I wanna be safe on the road if I could get qualified. If anyone is able to help me figure out what I could do it would be greatly appreciated cause I was really looking forward at doing this to better myself and family instead of sitting around the house not being able to nothing at all.
I used to an electrician and I miss going to work everyday and being able to earn an income being a truckdriver after 10 years of not working and I find out this.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Hey guys, I have been studying for over 2 weeks now and I found out today that I wouldn't be able to pass my DOT physical because I'm on some medication that will disqualify me if I was to take it. I was really lookiing forward to dropping my 100% disablity from the VA to become a truck driver. From what I understand from my reading I can't get a waiver for the meds I'm taking either and I don't wanna stop taking them either cause I wanna be safe on the road if I could get qualified. If anyone is able to help me figure out what I could do it would be greatly appreciated cause I was really looking forward at doing this to better myself and family instead of sitting around the house not being able to nothing at all.
I used to an electrician and I miss going to work everyday and being able to earn an income being a truckdriver after 10 years of not working and I find out this.
There are many medications that can be waived, or are legal with a statement from your doctor that they are medically necessary and do not interfere with your ability to drive.
You mentioned neither your disability nor your meds - so it's kind of difficult to make a suggestion as to how to become medically qualified to drive.
In many cases - there are "alternative medications" that are not prohibited - which usually don't work as well (and may actually disqualify you, due to the condition not being managed safely enough to drive).
Like I said - without more detail - it would be difficult to offer suggestions.
PM me if you're uncomfortable posting in public.
Rick
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Well..... Blood pressure was fine.. Would be great but now I have to hope Knight Transportation's saftey people will approve a sleep study...... Dammit....
Well..... Blood pressure was fine.. Would be great but now I have to hope Knight Transportation's saftey people will approve a sleep study...... Dammit....
What did they tag you on? BMI or Neck Circumference?
Rick
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
Well..... Blood pressure was fine.. Would be great but now I have to hope Knight Transportation's saftey people will approve a sleep study...... Dammit....
What did they tag you on? BMI or Neck Circumference?
Rick
Both.... Time for some dieting. Lol
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
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Blood Pressure DOT Physical Hypertension Sleep Apnea Understanding The Laws
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I got it checked and itbwas high. However, they didn't have the correct size sleeve. I had this situation once before and my BP turned out to be OK. BUT worst case scenario if I only get a 3 month certificate, do you think they'll allow me to start the training if I can get medication quickly?