Brian3613

I weight train intensly 6 days a week. Run 5 miles two times a week. Watch what I eat, don't eat fried foods, stay away from excess sugar, fats and salt. I'm basically a health nut. Of everyone i know and have ever known I have always been the most physically fit. Unfortunately, I'm a little girl when it comes to doctors and get nervous when I get a physical, which causes my heart rate to go up as well as my blood pressure. This obviously affects the results of my blood pressure making it seem that it is high. This Thursday I'm going in for a physical to attempt to get my First-Class medical certificate and am worried that I won't pass because of my BP. Any advise?

de727ups

Have them do the blood pressure check last.

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Dog Breath

Do you take your BP at home? If so, is it normal? You need to find out if you have "white coat" syndrome or if you really have high blood pressure. In any case, you're going to have to find a way to get over your fear because medical exams come with the territory.

I suggest you get evaluated by your physician before taking your FAA medical exam. If you truly have high BP, relax. Generally speaking, the FAA will allow you to fly provided you can control it with medication and there's no side effects. You will have to jump through a few extra hoops, but it's usually no big deal.

Here's a good place to learn more, but your doctor should be your first stop.

http://aviationmedicine.com/articles...7&contentID=67

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ugleeual

Your BP has to be really high to not get a First Class... I think the tolerance is 155/95... go to this website for more details. Just look at the guys flying the line today... most are out of shape, overweight, and ready to kill over. don't worry about it.

http://flightphysical.com/Exam-Guide/Synopsis.htm

rickair7777

If you don't actually have high BP, but are afraid it will shoot up in the exam setting, get a BP cuff and have your wife/gf take your BP daily so you get used to it. Also don't wear tight pants, and ask to lay down (vice sitting) while they do the test. Also the electronic (automatic) BP devices tend to read high, so ask them to use a manual hand-operated unit.

brownie

Go to your regular doc and ask for 24 hr blood pressure monitor. Come back after 24 hrs and get your normal reading and a letter from him stating your bp in normal and only high during visits (WHITE COAT SYNDROME) take the letter to your ame and he will file it with the feds and you never have to worry about your bp when you get your first class. Happened to afriend of mine and it works like a champ.
Good luck

flyingtigermco

Take an aspirin the night before your medical and one again the morning of. Usually lowers my BP about 10 pts.

TonyMontana

Certain foods are natural vasodialators. Do a google search and you'll be surprised. Omit caffeine from your diet for at least 2 weeks also.

rvr350

There're actually AMEs that will take regular patients, i.e. you can have your primary care physician to administer class I medical to you. Problem solved! Besides, there's no really solid guidelines from the feds that delineates hi bp. It really depends on the magic pen on the coat pocket of the AME you're seeing!

Learflyer

Since you run anyway, go for a run the same day you're next exam is scheduled. it drops me down to about 104/72 every time. true story!