High Blood Pressure Issues

[Side Stick]

Hi,

I know this isn't an interview related topic, but there seems to be a few folks here that have been in the airline industry for a while that might help me out.

Has anyone here dealt with the FAA and getting approved for blood pressure medication. My understanding is you have to do another EKG, submit a blood test, and be on the medication for 30 days without flying to get approved if there are no side effects.

Other than diet and excercise, was there another treatment that the Feds liked better?

Thanks for any help you might offer.

 

[flx757]

My AME simply placed me on medication, and since he was also the prescribing Dr, he took care of the paperwork (not always the best idea in all cases, but this time it seemed to work out ok). No other action was required. Of course, as with everything, your mileage may vary.

 

[radarlove]

Every time your medical comes up, you must have a letter from your prescibing doc that there is no organ damage and no adverse reactions from the medication, along with three blood pressure readings.

It's nothing more than paperwork, don't let it stop you from getting on the medication, which will prevent irreversable damage later.

There is a lot of new thinking about blood pressure and the old adages about cutting back on salt and exercising more simply doesn't work if the cause is genetic (which it usually is, unless you're obese). The new thought is to get on medication right away and stop the damage.

The feds like paperwork, it's spooky unless you've done it, then it is just another form to get filled out.

 

[FDXFlyer]

If you are an ALPA member, one of the member benefits is the free use of the Aviation Medicine Advisory Service. Office phone number is (303) 341-4435. The office is open Monday -Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mountain Time. They are very helpful and keep everything confidential. If you want to know more, log on to the ALPA site, click on member benefits, and click on aeromedical.

Hope that helps.

 

[HockleyPilot]

First time telling the FAA on the medical app. requires a letter and blood work if on diuretic. IE Physician writes Bob is on BP meds, it is under control, and is under my care. As long as it's approved meds, almost all are, its ok. Then after that, each time you got you have the letter and blood work. Hasn't been too bad.

THIS IS A GOOD SITE

LEFTSEAT>COM

 

[Side Stick]

First time telling the FAA on the medical app. requires a letter and blood work if on diuretic. IE Physician writes Bob is on BP meds, it is under control, and is under my care. As long as it's approved meds, almost all are, its ok. Then after that, each time you got you have the letter and blood work. Hasn't been too bad.

THIS IS A GOOD SITE

LEFTSEAT>COM

Did you have to take 30 days off initially?

Thanks, everyone for the replies.

 

[744]

Lots of us are on BP medications. It is no longer a big deal IF:

1. You start it on your terms, and before the FAA gets unhappy with your BP.

2. You have the appropriate paperwork with you at your fist medical after you start medication.

3. Once a year you bring a letter from your treating physician to your medical. That means every other first class medical.

Google "FAA blood pressure", or try this link:

http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/medical_certification/specialissuance/hypertension/index.cfm

Your medical is normal, will have no new restrictions and it is NOT a "special issuance". Just have the paper work in order, which is not difficult. I would, however, take a little time off when first starting the medications since you don't know for certain how you will react. I used a hole in my schedule and a few days of sick leave, others have used scheduled vacation time as a good point to start.

Current FAA thinking is that they want to see you taking care of yourself. Treatment for BP is not only OK, they think that it is a good thing. Just have the paperwork right.

So don't worry about it. Get it down and enjoy life.

dlw

 

[Tatoosh65]

Bp

Does anyone know if taking meds for high bp counts against you for the interview process and pre-employment med-exam for companies like fedex, ual, ect, ect.???
From the northcoast,
Thanks, Tatoosh

 

[Side Stick]

Lots of us are on BP medications. It is no longer a big deal IF:

1. You start it on your terms, and before the FAA gets unhappy with your BP.

2. You have the appropriate paperwork with you at your fist medical after you start medication.

3. Once a year you bring a letter from your treating physician to your medical. That means every other first class medical.

Google "FAA blood pressure", or try this link:

http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/medical_certification/specialissuance/hypertension/index.cfm

Your medical is normal, will have no new restrictions and it is NOT a "special issuance". Just have the paper work in order, which is not difficult. I would, however, take a little time off when first starting the medications since you don't know for certain how you will react. I used a hole in my schedule and a few days of sick leave, others have used scheduled vacation time as a good point to start.

Current FAA thinking is that they want to see you taking care of yourself. Treatment for BP is not only OK, they think that it is a good thing. Just have the paperwork right.

So don't worry about it. Get it down and enjoy life.

dlw

Thank. I was told by an AME, not mine, that there was also a 30 day waiting period to check for side effects. Today I finally called my AME and was told the same thing that everyone has said here.

My problem is that until this, I've had zero medical issues for the past 46 years, so this caught me by surprise.

Thanks again for all the replies.

Side Stick

 

[744]

Side Stick:

One other thing. You will get a letter from the FAA a few weeks after your medical. Don't panic when it shows up in the mail box. It will just confirm that your medical is valid, and tell you about the yearly letter that they will want from your treating physician.

dlw

 

[bravodude]

How about high chollesterol

 

[Side Stick]

Side Stick:

One other thing. You will get a letter from the FAA a few weeks after your medical. Don't panic when it shows up in the mail box. It will just confirm that your medical is valid, and tell you about the yearly letter that they will want from your treating physician.

dlw

Thanks

 

[whatitdoing?]

I keep telling EVERYONE that I see about this BP issue. DO NOT....I'll say it again...DO NOT have that nurse take your BP with those automatic BP machines. These machines are influenced by many factors that give incorrect readings. They can be influenced my electrical applicances or your cell phone or even the laundry mat that's next door. Also, these machines have to be calibrated a lot and most doctor's offices don't want to pay for that. Politely ask if the nurse or doctor can take your reading with the hand held pump. If they get irritated and say no, then walk out. Most docs have NO problem because they understand the issues with these machines and they know that MOST of us get "white coat" issues and have elevated BP anyway. I say this after my discussion with a friend that sells these BP machines to docs. Just a little advice.......

 

[Andy]

2. You have the appropriate paperwork with you at your fist medical after you start medication.

I went on lisinopril, prescribed by an AF flight surgeon, in 2003. I've been furloughed since 2002 & haven't gotten another FAA medical since going on BP meds. Is this what's required (from your link):

1. Complete review of pertinent history including personal, social, and family history related to hypertension and risk factor analysis for complications;
2. Statement from treating physician describing the effects of treatment and any risk factor modification program;
3. Representative blood pressure readings;
4. Laboratory testing to include electrolyte, lipid profile, and glucose;
5. Resting ECG.

I also went on cholesterol med in 2003. I couldn't find any required paperwork for that; anyone know if there's any paperwork involved?

 

[744]

I went on lisinopril, prescribed by an AF flight surgeon, in 2003. I've been furloughed since 2002 & haven't gotten another FAA medical since going on BP meds. Is this what's required (from your link):

1. Complete review of pertinent history including personal, social, and family history related to hypertension and risk factor analysis for complications;
2. Statement from treating physician describing the effects of treatment and any risk factor modification program;
3. Representative blood pressure readings;
4. Laboratory testing to include electrolyte, lipid profile, and glucose;
5. Resting ECG.

I also went on cholesterol med in 2003. I couldn't find any required paperwork for that; anyone know if there's any paperwork involved?

That was all that I submitted. And being blessed with a great family history (sarcasm alert), I can also tell you that taking statins is not a problem. Just list it on the medical form.

If you are concerned, and don't have a current medical, you could make an appointment with an AME and see what he/she thinks before taking the real medical. But my experiance has been that these matters are no longer the big deals that they used to be.

dlw

 

[744]

How about high chollesterol

I also take a statin, and this has not been an issue. The Feds want to see you managing your risk factors. Now if you are a 320 pound smoker, that might raise some flags.

More and more of us are getting caught up in these things for the simple reason that the levels where treatment begins keep getting lowered. 20 years ago my BP and blood work would have been considered normal.

dlw

 

[Jim Smyth]

Cholesterol and BP meds are no big deal. The FAA would rather you be proactive than wait and down the road have other bad things happen. There will be a few extra tests and some extra paper work but its all for your benefit. I have been on Lipitor for 3 years now. I have tried 2 different BP meds and have had adverse reactions to them both so currently I am not on any and was only boarerline high before. I still need to shed a few pounds though and hopefully that will be the ticket

 

[Andy]

I'd like to thank everyone for all of the info on this thread AND bringing the issue to my attention before I get another FAA physical. My last FAA physical was pre-911. I got furloughed in Mar 02.
With UAL's current recall rates, I could be back on property (in mil leave status) by the end of this year.

 

[dskflyr]

Good Advice!

I keep telling EVERYONE that I see about this BP issue. DO NOT....I'll say it again...DO NOT have that nurse take your BP with those automatic BP machines. These machines are influenced by many factors that give incorrect readings. They can be influenced my electrical applicances or your cell phone or even the laundry mat that's next door. Also, these machines have to be calibrated a lot and most doctor's offices don't want to pay for that. Politely ask if the nurse or doctor can take your reading with the hand held pump. If they get irritated and say no, then walk out. Most docs have NO problem because they understand the issues with these machines and they know that MOST of us get "white coat" issues and have elevated BP anyway. I say this after my discussion with a friend that sells these BP machines to docs. Just a little advice.......

This is excellent advice. Prior to having your BP done you should sit quietly for at least 10 minutes. Your arm should be bare (shirt off is best) and no talking while the pressures are checked. Your arm should also be level with your heart and supported. A lot of med assistants are very unskilled in performing an ACCURATE bp check. I routinely recheck BP readings and find a lot of normals that were falsely elavated.