High blood pressure and the DOT physical

[kidnotorious200]

Hi everyone! I will soon be a newbie driver and am in the process of deciding between going to either Schneider or Drivers solutions for training. I have been approved by both for training but have to just decide which one I'm going with. My major concern is this: I have high blood pressure, stage one hypertension. I firmly believe that my high BP is mostly caused by my current job (Retail sales...ugggghhh!) and a poor diet and exercise. I am in the process of working on that, learning to eat right, exercising etc. I am also on a prescription for my BP. It is slowly coming down. My question is this. On the DOT physical will a BP of 150/99 disqualify me? I have done alot of research and it seems that I could get either a six month or three month waiver for my BP. But is this a realtiy or just wishful thinking? I have recently had a cardiac stress test and an EKG and passed both with flying colors, but my BP is still a bit high. Should I just chuck my hopes of driving, or should I keep plugging away? Also, who is better for training? Schneider or Driver solutions? Sorry for the long winded question, but I gotta know! lol. Thanks!

[RedRollingRoadblock]

Originally Posted by kidnotorious200

[SNIP]...My major concern is this: I have high blood pressure, stage one hypertension. I firmly believe that my high BP is mostly caused by my current job (Retail sales...ugggghhh!) and a poor diet and exercise. I am in the process of working on that, learning to eat right, exercising etc. I am also on a prescription for my BP. It is slowly coming down. My question is this. On the DOT physical will a BP of 150/99 disqualify me? I have done alot of research and it seems that I could get either a six month or three month waiver for my BP. But is this a realtiy or just wishful thinking? I have recently had a cardiac stress test and an EKG and passed both with flying colors, but my BP is still a bit high. Should I just chuck my hopes of driving, or should I keep plugging away?...[SNIP]

Welcome to the board.

Lower number for BP must be lower than 90. I think the 3/6 month cards or only given if you are doing a recertification not for the first time card. Keep working on it. When you can get it down apply for your training. Once you start driving you will not get proper exercise and diet so stay on top of it.

[shoeman]

140/90 or lower is the DOT regs. It is a 3 month card for recertification, doubt it for first time. I have high blood pressure too and when I failed my physical I lost weight during the 3 month time and passed. I have what doctors call "white coat high bp". My readings are fine at home and at my family docs but when my job depends on it I freak out and it jumps up. He prescribed me a minor sedative to take before I went for physical and I was fine! PM me and i'll look up what it was and you can try that.

[pro1driver]

Originally Posted by kidnotorious200

Hi everyone! I will soon be a newbie driver and am in the process of deciding between going to either Schneider or Drivers solutions for training. I have been approved by both for training but have to just decide which one I'm going with. My major concern is this: I have high blood pressure, stage one hypertension. I firmly believe that my high BP is mostly caused by my current job (Retail sales...ugggghhh!) and a poor diet and exercise. I am in the process of working on that, learning to eat right, exercising etc. I am also on a prescription for my BP. It is slowly coming down. My question is this. On the DOT physical will a BP of 150/99 disqualify me? I have done alot of research and it seems that I could get either a six month or three month waiver for my BP. But is this a realtiy or just wishful thinking? I have recently had a cardiac stress test and an EKG and passed both with flying colors, but my BP is still a bit high. Should I just chuck my hopes of driving, or should I keep plugging away? Also, who is better for training? Schneider or Driver solutions? Sorry for the long winded question, but I gotta know! lol. Thanks!

yes, that's high......you might need meds, and no matter what your job now, trucking will only cause it to skyrocket.

140/90 ( i think).

yep, here is a link.

http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_ne...081004-01.html

[Cerberus_Kelpie]

My BP is usually around 120/80 and I smoke Cigarettes at 1.5-2 packs daily, PLUS being a Trucker.
There's NO stress in Trucking--just ask any Trucker-- .....if you can get 'em to stop for a question because they're in a hurry to have a stroke.....and they're late on their delivery.....and, and, and.......

[wishy-washy]

120/80 is the new regulation.

Pro1driver posted a web site but that was from 2004. I believe new regs went into effect 2006. I will check to be sure. Stay away from the big nons and go get yourself hooked up with a good union company