could someone help with flying and high blood pressure

[i fly boxes]

looks like the stress of the job has gotten to me, and the doc wants me to go on high blood pressure medication. I have my medical in a week, and i know the med is approved by the faa becuase I looked it up, but if anyone could comment on what I could do before my medical to speed up the process, that would be great.
Thanks

 

[bugchaser]

It's really not a big deal. FAA will probably want some blood tests as well as three blood pressure readings to document things. They will also probably request a resting EKG. Once all these things are done, you will have no more trouble with them. I went for about two years before they even requested any of this stuff from me. I finally got a letter and had a couple months to get all the info to them. It would probably be a good idea to get a cardiovascular workup with blood test results and pressure readings from your physician before you go for the medical. Have him state that the meds are controlling your pressure and that there are no side effects. If you are a member of AOPA, they can get you some forms for your doc to fill out. Don't sweat it, just have to get a little paperwork done.

 

[bubbers44]

Choosing the wrong FAA physician can cause you a lot of grief. I know of a guy that lost his medical for a year for high blood pressure many years back but follow up tests didn't show him having a problem. It is important to find a Dr. you feel comfortable with so you don't get the white coat blood pressure spike like my wife does. Get another Dr. to deal with the blood pressure if you think it is a problem so it won't involve your medical directly. True you are supposed to state any Dr. visits with each medical.

 

[i fly boxes]

thanks guys, I do trust my doc a lot. Am I allowed to start taking the medicine before my medical, or do i have to wait until then?

 

[Jim Smyth]

Blood pressure meds are no big deal. You would rather have that under control yourself than have the FAA tell you whats right or wrong. Your AME will have the answers you need and if not your union may have a specialist on retainer that helps out in the medical arena.

There are a few extra tests involved and a little bit of paperwork but the FAA would rather have you take care of it now than have it become a big deal later.

Also, don't take this the wrong way but a self look into the mirror also helps too. It did for me. If your overweight, don't exercise, smoke, drink too much............well you get the idea. A little self help may go a long way. This may not apply to you but if any of the above do you may be able to correct the problem yourself. Best of luck.

 

[Ty Webb]

Jim had some excellent advice. I used to work EMS, so I would add the following- for most people. your blood pressure will be highest in the evening, and lowest in the morning and also after a meal, when the blood has flowed to the area around your stomach and intestines to absorb the food. Sometimes you don't really have high blood pressure at all, it's just a temporary result of other factors, but of course, you want to be sure.

If you have a couple cups of java, walk into the Dr's office and sit right down and let them take your BP right away, without a little relaxation, it can be high . . . so, sit down, relax, ask them to give you a couple of minutes, breathe in and out slowly, and just try to relax a little, and you may find you're normal after all.

You can also buy a handy little wrist-mounted BP cuff at Fry's or some other electronic stores that will monitor your BP for you. I would try one of those out for a few days, long before I would commit to a lifetime on some medication. You may find you only have high BP in your DR's office.

I would look into it a bit, before I let them put me on meds . . . If you dive, be careful , some BP meds could kill you, and no one will warn you about it, because it is not well known. . . . but it happened to someone very close to me.

Free advice, and worth every penny.


,

 

[ironspud]

You can also buy a handy little wrist-mounted BP cuff at Fry's or some other electronic stores that will monitor your BP for you. I would try one of those out for a few days, long before I would commit to a lifetime on some medication. You may find you only have high BP in your DR's office.

I would look into it a bit, before I let them put me on meds . . . If you dive, be careful , some BP meds could kill you, and no one will warn you about it, because it is not well known. . . . but it happened to someone very close to me.

Free advice, and worth every penny.


,

Whoa! What is a "Fry's"? I've never seen one of those gadgets, but would like one as I have seen a recent spike in BP and would like to monitor it.

Is that like FYE? Any other place you are aware of that sells those devices?

 

[Ty Webb]

http://shop4.outpost.com/category/Outpost/Health+&+Beauty/Blood+Pressure+Monitors?accipterAreaString=

 

[3BCat]

Take two, and call me in the morning.

Try the banana; one for breakfast, one before you walk into the office. If you really have even mild hypertension, treat it.

 

[CatfishVT9]

Try Atkins. Yeah, I know that the media says that low-carb is dead, but not for me it isn't. Two years ago I was right there with you when my BP was 140/98 on the first reading at my Class 1 check. The AME was great and let me lie in a quiet room in a near sleep state until it came down into range. He then said to come back later for a workup for BP meds. A buddy of mine had told me about doing Atkins for his high cholesterol and that his BP went down as well. Plus, I hate meds if they can be avoided.

The short story is that I tried it and within about 3 weeks, my BP was down to about 120/80 and has stayed there. I also lost about 20 lbs which helped as well. I'm not staying strict Atkins anymore either, just paying attention to what I eat (no more bread three meals a day).

I would bet that if you try Atkins, and reschedule your physical to the end of the month, you might avoid the meds.

Good luck!
Catfish