How to lower blood pressure before physical

For me , I schedule the dot physical first thing in the morning and I get up and don’t drink ANYthing

drinking a bottle of water driving to the appointment to have sufficient Ammo for the urine test will run my BP up by at least 10-12 points

 

Have you ever been told you have elevated blood pressure? I can see that drinking coffee or smoking would raise your pressure, but water is unusual. But I understand why you are doing it. You may be experiencing what is called "white coat hypertension." Thats the nervousness some people have when they're blood pressure is being checked. And just going for the physical can make you apprehensive. See if you can have your blood pressure checked in a quiet setting. Consider getting a home blood pressure monitor. Stay calm when you report for your physical. If your pressure is up at the first reading, ask the examiner to check it again later. I had your problem years ago. Just wrapping the cuff around my arm made my pressure go up 20 points.. But I learned to relax. That solved my blood pressure issue and helped me in other areas of my life. Best of everything to you. Stay healthy and be safe.

 

I'm not a physician, but I have been told many times by them that excess water in the human body is a problem because of sodium. This is why a diuretic is so good at lowering BP. If you know you are going to be taking a physical take a few days off and take a light diuretic like Hydrochlorothiazide. After a few days of the runs and refreshing with water you will flush a lot of sodium out. Then go early in the AM. Another trick is to take 60MG of Isosorbide about 4 hours before.

The best solution though is to eat right and get plenty of exercise!

 

The doctor I see for my DOT physicals also specializes in the treatment of hypertension. Taking Hydrochlorothiazide will make you urinate like crazy. Its a little hard to do that in the cab. It also flushes potassium, which is important for a regular heartbeat, out of the body. The 140/90 standard created a real problem for many drivers. Two women drivers that I know both take medication for elevated pressure. However, your advise to ear right, watch your weight and get sufficient exercise is right on. It has worked for me. Its a person's heart against the cuff and that doesn't have to mean going on medication. We do have some measure of control. Stay healthy and be safe.

 

Eat low salt foods the day before. And drink tons of water and skip breakfast for the physical. Slow deep breathes while the doc has the machine on your arm. But honestly you should focus on handling your blood pressure situation before something serious happens! Need to lower your salt and sugar intake and avoid greasy food. Increase some exercise you can always start easy like walking more. Park the rig places that would require you to walk more.

 

I have been taking Hydrochlorothiazide now for a few years. Other than taking Vitamin B-12, D, and E and a Men's 50+ I take no other supplements. my labs generally come back good and my providers have never mentioned potassium loss. I have CAD and my heart doctors want me to take Hydrochlorothiazide once a day. I am also taking Jardiance so you can imagine I am making frequent trips to the reading room. I have 3 stints in my heart now and a 4th is planned for later. I just got back a while back from my walk.

 

Most will say meds, unfortunately a pill does not fix the problem it is only a stop gap solution, the issue here is what is cause the high blood pressure in the first place, avoid stress or try and reduce it, and try and eat a much lower carb diet will all contribute to reducing your blood pressure and make you a much healthier person. The average person only needs between 100 g - 200 g of carbs per day for energy needs, its once we consume more than this that the body unfortunately starts to turn all unused energy in the form of glucose to fat. Which is the primary why lots of people have issues with keeping weight down, which also contributes to high blood pressure.

 

These constantly changing DOT physical exam regulations can drive you up a wall. Currently, you must have a blood pressure reading BELOW 140/90 for that part of the examination. Last year I failed to obtain a two year card because my blood pressure was 148/86. I was 8 points above the 140 systolic cut off. I was put on medication and given a one card. With diet and exercise I was able to get the pressure down to 118/72. A retired nurse lives next door to me and she monitored my pressure once a week. I saw the doctor once a month so she could check it. I didn't care for that medication and was glad to get off it. And I wasn't to fond of having a pressure cuff wrapped around my arm all the time. But on the other hand, that simple device has saved a lot of lives. Stay healthy and be safe.

 

I asked my doctor about the three month card and she told me that she would not issue it to someone who had a blood pressure 180/100 (this reading is given in the DOT standard). With pressure this high there is always the danger of stroke or heart attack. She told me about a woman who came in for the CDL physical but had a blood pressure above the 180/100. She sent this woman to the emergency room. This lady wanted to drive a school buss! This pushes home that fact that ALL DOT/CDL physical examinations should be administered by a certified medical exeminer This woman was detected because she came into contact with a good doctor. I shudder to think that this woman could slipped through the cracks and gotten behind the wheel of a bus filled with children. And I have trouble thinking about what could have happened had she a stroke or heart attack while driving. In my opinion a school bus driver should be given a complete and thorough physical examination once a year performed by a certified physician selected by the school district. The precious "cargo" they transport demands it. Stay healthy and be safe.

 

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/pdf...essor agents and antihypertensive medications.