High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is an extremely common health problem in the US.Almost50% ofadults, that’s over 100 million people, have blood pressure exceeding 130 mm Hg for their systolic blood pressure or 80 mm Hg for their diastolic blood pressure, or are on medication for their hypertension. Even more surprising is that 76% of this group are not aware or in control of their condition. Besides the need to get high blood pressure under control to maintain good health well into your twilight years, as a commercial truck driver, you need to keep your blood pressure under control to pass the DOT physical every 1–2 years. To help you understand what is required of you in terms of blood pressure to pass the DOT physical, we’ve answered all the most common questions below and outlined some tips that can help you lower your blood pressure quickly before your upcoming exam. If you’re looking for an overview of DOT Physicals, you’ll find that here. Blood pressure is measured with two figures. The systolic blood pressure (higher figure) is the force at which your heart pumps blood around the body while the diastolic pressure (lower figure) is the pressure in your blood vessels between heartbeats. Both are measured inmillimetersof mercury – mm Hg. You can pass your physical with above-normal blood pressure, but if your blood pressure is too high, you will not pass. If your blood pressure is normal, you will pass with no conditions. If your blood pressure is high, between 140-159 systolic and/or90-99 mm Hg diastolic, it is described as “Stage 1” high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is in this range, you will pass but you will be required to take the DOT physical annually. If your blood pressure is between160-179 systolic and/or 100-109 diastolicit is considered “Stage 2” high blood pressure, and you will only be granted a 3-month certificate in which you will be asked to take action to reduce your blood pressure down to 140/90 or better. If your blood pressure is higher than 180 systolic and 110 diastolic, you are considered “Stage 3” high blood pressure, are high risk, and you will not pass the DOT physical. At Stage 3, no certification will be granted. To continue driving a commercial motor vehicle, you must reduce your blood pressure to or below 140/90. Should they do so they will be approved to drive for six months before they have to get another physical. The biannual checks will continue provided the figures are maintained. Normal blood pressure is defined as anything below 120/80 mm Hg – you’ll often hear this as 120-over-80. Elevated blood pressure for the DOT physical is defined as 120-139 systolic and/or 80-89 diastolic, and blood pressure within this range will also not flag any problems during your exam. The blood pressure limits set anything above 140 systolic and/or 90 diastolic as high blood pressure. If you are below these numbers no action is taken. Anything above and some form of restriction will be imposed. At Stage 1, you will be required to take the DOT physical annually rather than the normal biannual. At Stage 2 you will be allowed to drive but have to reduce your blood pressure to Stage 1 levels within three months. At Stage 3, you will have to stop driving a truck until your blood pressure is under control. The highest blood pressure you can have as a commercial truck driver and still pass, though not without restriction, is 179/109, though it’s likely your Medical Examiner will have some concerns. If your blood pressure is over 140/90, it’s a good idea to start tackling your high blood pressure, both for your well-being and so you do not encounter future problems passing the DOT physical. Treatment usually includes both medication and lifestyle changes but results are often swift. The blood pressure requirementsaresimple – anything below 140/90 and you pass. Anything above, and some action is necessary. Blood pressure regulations for the DOT physical help to make sure that truck drivers remain safe. Hypertension is an overlooked risk factor for everyone and catching it early and controlling it is key for a healthy life. The blood pressure guidelines from the American Heart Association, along with other health authorities, lowered the Stage 1 figures to 130/80 showing how seriously high blood pressure should be taken. There is no problem if you routinely take prescribed medication for high blood pressure. Taking such medication is common and allows blood pressure to return to safe levels offering an improved long-term outlook. The figures listed above are the current 2023 DOT physical requirements for blood pressure, though they may change to reflect the medical profession’s raised awareness of the problems hypertension can cause. Once your blood pressure rises to more than 140/90 you will have to take action to continue to get certification on a long-term basis. Once it rises above 180/110 you will fail the physical examination, but if you can go away and reduce your blood pressure levels below 140/90 you can reapply. If your blood pressure is high, the best thing to do is start taking action to lower your blood pressure for your well-being so you can continue doing your job as a commercial truck driver. There areseveralways to lower your blood pressure to allow you to pass the DOT physical,though many are not quick fixes. Hypertension is a potential killer. We should all be more aware of high blood pressure and the DOT physical is a good place to start. If the examination shows inflated figures, use it as an opportunity to start making positive changes for a better, healthier future. Now that you know the DOT physicalblood pressure requirements for2023, it's time toschedule your DOT physical. Scheduling DOT physicals for drivers is easier than ever for owner-operators and fleet managers. Foley's automated DOT physicals software automatically sends reminders whenever drivers need an exam and auto-orders them for you. Plus, the drivers' new medical certificates are uploaded to their digital files once they pass their DOT physical exams. Get a FREE demo of the Foley DOT physical software today. The DOT Physical: Everything You Need to Know DOT Physicals: Can Chiropractors and Other Doctors do DOT Physicals? DOT Physicals: Vision Requirements for the Eye Exam DOT Physicals: Can You Pass with a High BMI or While Overweight? DOT Physicals: Can I Get a DOT Physical in Any State? DOT Physicals: Can You Pass with a Hernia? DOT Physicals: Will I Pass with Diabetes? DOT Physicals: Can I Pass With Sleep Apnea? DOT Physicals: What if I have a Medical Condition? DOT Physicals: Do They Include a Drug Test? How to Prepare for Your DOT Physical? DOT Physicals: What Happens When You Fail? Fail a DOT Physical? You Have a Right to a Second Opinion DOT Physicals: Understanding Medical VariancesThe blood pressure requirements for DOT physicals can seem daunting. Here's what you need to know if you have high blood pressure.
Can You Pass the DOT Physical with High Blood Pressure?
What is Considered Normal Blood Pressure for the DOT Physical?
What is Considered High Blood Pressure for the DOT Physical?
What is the Highest Blood Pressure for the DOT Physical?
What is the Blood Pressure Range for the DOT Physical?
Can you Pass the DOT Physical on Blood Pressure Medication?
What are the New 2023 DOT Physical Requirements for Blood Pressure?
Can You Fail a DOT Physical for High Blood Pressure?
Howto Lower Your Blood Pressure to Pass theDOTPhysical
Quicker & Easier DOT Physical Exam Scheduling
Links to Related Articles in This Series:
FAQs
DOT Physical Blood Pressure: New Requirements & Tips for Passing? ›
What is the Blood Pressure Range for the DOT Physical? The blood pressure requirements are simple – anything below 140/90 and you pass. Anything above, and some action is necessary. Blood pressure regulations for the DOT physical help to make sure that truck drivers remain safe.
What are the new DOT blood pressure guidelines for 2024? ›Stage 1 – Blood pressure of 140/90 to 159/99 – Certification for one year. Stage 2 – Blood pressure of 160/100 to 179/109 – Certification for three months; if testing at three months shows a blood pressure of 140/90, may be certified for one year at that time.
How to pass dot physical with high blood pressure? ›- Drink a lot of water. Drinking water helps flush sodium – which is a known cause of high blood pressure – from the body, and helps to calm the nervous system. ...
- Eat more potassium. ...
- Drink beet juice. ...
- Cut the crap. ...
- Breathe.
- Two-year DOT medical certification: A blood pressure reading under 140/90.
- One-year DOT medical certification: A top number of 140-159 and a bottom number of 90-99.
- A 60-second trick to lower blood pressure immediately is to take a deep breath and try to relax. ...
- Drink some water. ...
- Try some mild physical activity. ...
- Eat some dark chocolate. ...
- Take a cold shower. ...
- Get some sun.
What is the Blood Pressure Range for the DOT Physical? The blood pressure requirements are simple – anything below 140/90 and you pass. Anything above, and some action is necessary. Blood pressure regulations for the DOT physical help to make sure that truck drivers remain safe.
What is the new BP criteria? ›Blood pressure categories in the new guidelines are: Normal: 120/80 mm Hg or lower. Elevated: This used to be called “prehypertension.” The top number (systolic) is between 120 and 129 and the bottom number (diastolic) is 80 or lower. Elevated blood pressure can turn into high blood pressure if no action is taken.
How do you temporarily lower your blood pressure? ›- Meditate or focus on deep breathing. Meditation and breathing exercises can help you relax, which slows your heart rate and lowers your blood pressure.
- Reduce your stress levels. ...
- Take a warm bath or shower.
However, a 2008 study stated that beet juice lowers blood pressure in about 3 hours. Research suggests that drinking beet juice daily for at least 60 days provides the most benefits, helping significantly improve hypertension.
How to lower your blood pressure before going to the doctor? ›Take a brisk 15-20 min walk
While some light exercise may seem counterintuitive, a short walk is enough to help you start rhythmic breathing which actually decreases blood pressure by calming the body's stress response similar to the breathing technique above (but with the added fun of walking).
How can I bring my blood pressure down right now? ›
Some ways to lower blood pressure without medication include mindful meditation, time and stress management techniques, eating less salt, regular exercise, the DASH diet, losing excess weight, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption.
What should I do if my blood pressure is 160 over 100? ›Combination drug therapy — If a person has very high blood pressure (eg, 160/100 mmHg or higher), then combination therapy with two drugs at the same time rather than monotherapy (treatment with a single medication) may be the initial step in blood pressure treatment.
Can you lose your CDL for high blood pressure? ›Breakdown of High Blood Pressure & FMCSA Requirements
When the driver's blood pressure is below 140/90, they may be certified at six-month intervals. Individuals with a blood pressure reading greater than 180/110 are disqualified. However, you may apply again once you've lowered your blood pressure.
- Drink plenty of water. Proper hydration is an essential part of overall health. ...
- Avoid coffee, cigarettes and booze. ...
- Eat fruits and vegetables and drink beet juice. ...
- Eat potassium rich foods. ...
- Try meditating. ...
- Get some sleep.
Drinking water can help normalize blood pressure. If you are dehydrated, it can also help lower blood pressure. Drinking water is not a treatment for high blood pressure but it can help you sustain healthier blood pressure, whether you have hypertension or not.
How do you calm down for a blood pressure test? ›Find a technique that helps you calm down when you're anxious or stressed. For example, breathe deeply and exhale slowly. Try a few of these breaths before your blood pressure reading. Reciting a poem or verse in your mind may help you relax, too.
What is the maximum blood pressure for a CDL? ›The driver can receive a one-year certification if blood pressure is below 140/90 in three months. When the driver's blood pressure is below 140/90, they may be certified at six-month intervals. Individuals with a blood pressure reading greater than 180/110 are disqualified.
What is stage 1 hypertension for a dot exam? ›Stage 1: BP range of 140-159/90-99. The driver is certified for one year. The driver with a BP in this range is usually without symptoms and at low risk for hypertension-related acute incapacitation.
Will aspirin lower blood pressure before physical? ›Aspirin on its own does not lower blood pressure. Aspirin is not recommended to treat high blood pressure. Taking aspirin carries risks, especially for bleeding. You should only take aspirin after talking to a healthcare provider.
What are the blood pressure stages for Fmcsa? ›Stage 1 - BP 140-159/90-99 Certification Period 1 year. Stage 2 - BP 160-179/100-109 Certification Period 3 months as one time certification. Within the 3 months, if the blood pressure is below 140/90, the driver may receive 1 year certification. Stage 3 - BP Reading >180/110 Disqualified.