Blood pressure
 

Anyone have any tricks on lowering BP weeks before your medical

If you are trending hypertensive, see an experienced cardiologist, one recommended by a trusted AME if possible. There are so many Class 1 approved treatment options now. Living with high BP may kill you, or worse.

All the obvious lifestyle hacks, diet, exercise, reduce stress. If that doesn't work, you need medical help.

If you're at risk of failing an FAA medical on BP, your BP is already waaaaaayy too high!

You really don't need to see a cardiologist for simple HTN.

Your family practice physician is well-versed in treating high blood pressure.

As stated above, if you are near the FAA limits (155/95) then your BP is way too high.

Get on medication if that is what your doctor recommends.

You can lose weight, exercise more, eat better, and try breathing relaxation techniques.

You do not want to put yourself at higher risk of stroke by having untreated HTN.

Avoid coffee 24-48 hrs before your medical as it may increase your BP. Diet and exercise with weight in check as a long term solution. There are several yoga type(search you tube) breathing exercises you can do that seem to work. When you get to the facility try to have 5-10 minutes of quiet time before the reading is taken. If all else fails and you need medication then the FAA is pretty good about certifying you while on it without much fuss. Bottom line, even a 5-10 lb weight loss (if overweight) can make all the difference. Oh, also hydrate.

They (Aeromedical) will need an evaluation statement if meds are prescribed. Further testing may be required in certain cases. The more familiar whoever you see is with the process, the better.

I echo what others have said about diet, exercise etc. But some people (like me) cant control it with lifestyle changes no matter how good they are about it. Some people just need meds to control their BP.

In the large majority of situations, your family doctor can take care of your BP. AOPA has some good information on hypertension:

https://www.aopa.org/go-fly/medical-...m/hypertension

If it can be controlled with an acceptable med, it is a real easy process.

4 sticks of Celery every day. After about a week my blood pressure came down and is now perfect.
Worked for my husband as well.

I think you should try known natural remedies before going with BP Meds. Those meds, while providing a quick fix, do have long term negative results. One of those is a significant increase in cancer risk.

Cut the salt out of your diet as best as you can at least a week before the medical. Also eating known BP reducers like beets, celery, turmeric will help. There is a great drink mix that I like from Humann called Superbeets. It will drop your BP at least 10 points and help you keep it lowered. It seems like most AMEs use that automatic BP machine now, and that does show a higher BP than the old manual one.

Health comes first.

Flying comes later.

I agree with trying natural blood pressure reducers.

Change diet, cutting sugar and caffeine and add exercise. If that is not enough then think pills.

Think juicer, change evening meal to juice or smoothies.

Lose weight.

Health comes before flying.

Can you cite reputable sources saying BP meds are linked to cancer?
Millions of people are on Beta Blockers; the majority with zero side effects. In fact there have been studies showing BBs may have anti-cancer properties.

I would strongly suggest caution with any "natural remedy" because many of those have more adverse effects. Case in point, I know of a person who read taking magnesium can help their heart and blood pressure. They took enough magnesium that it threw the electrolyte balance out of whack and now they have permanent rhythm issues.

Exercise, exercise, exercise.

And become a vegetarian.

Hard to argue with that. Polk salad anyone?

https://youtu.be/u4csFnpZXek?t=3

Celery is supposed to be helpful.

need to walk 45mins+ every day, ZERO coffee, ZERO sugars/soda, and up the banana intake. VERY LITTLE SODIUM. Lots of sleep !

Take Medical on a Monday AM (just after a relaxing weekend) before the week starts and stupid taskings from boss, etc start

Hey everyone! wow! I got back last night from my eight day rotation, was not able to log on while on the road. I really can not thank all of you who took the time to reply to my question. I really appreciate all the thoughtful idea's, the feed-back, the concerns about the stroke some one mentioned if I don't lower my BP. I am aware about the diet, exercise, did not know about the celery, or the yoga, thanks for that tip. Again I don't want to think I forgot about everyone's concern, I just could not log onto the website. I hope everyone out there has a rich and fulfilling holiday. Thanks again to everyone.

Don't look for any tricks to lower your BP to get you thru your next medical. Take a long term approach. Go to a cardiologist. He can detect underlying causes that a general practitioner may overlook. Look at the FAA's CACI worksheet for guidance. Also with elevated BP, have your kidneys checked with a simple blood test. I lost time from work (and could have lost my life) because I delayed going to a cardiologist.

WhisperJet's observations are well founded.

My father was diagnosed with malignant hypertension in the 1960s. He was grounded as a military pilot. He didn't fly in his civilian career.

He took a lot of medication including magnesium. All of it was prescribed. It seems each time he went to a new doctor, more medication was prescribed without consideration to what he was already taking.

When in his late 50s/early 60s, my father went to a physician who reduced his medications by roughly two thirds. His BP improved and my father lived until he was 84. The biggest problem during his last five years was kidney failure and dialysis.

Good luck!