mcis987

Let me give you some back story. One year ago, I was getting another 2nd class medical. I was completely calm and not nervous at all. Apparently (not sure how), the nurse messed up my first reading of my blood pressure. She seemed really worried, which of course made me get really nervous. This caused my heartrate/BP to shoot way up. I was looking at possibly being denied my medical. Subsequent readings showed something around 147/100. Finally, the doctor came in, somehow calmed me down and retook my blood pressure. It was a healthy 121/80. I have taken my BP since then, and it has remained in the healthy range.

I am getting another medical this May, and I am very nervous about getting nervous again. I was hoping for some advice for those of you who might have had similar experiences. How have you/friends coped with this? It seems hard not to think about it. All I can think of is just to breathe normally. Generally, I have absoultely no fear of doctors, just AMEs since last year. I don't want to be labeled with hypertension all because of my nerves.

Thanks!

rickair7777

If the mood is stressing you out, you might need to change the scene. Ask if you can lay on an examining table in a dimly lit room for a while and do some deep breathing/relaxing. Then have the nurse come in and take the reading. You BP will be lower if you are reclining, also make sure you are not wearing tight pants (think G-suit).

The good news is that if you just have white-coat syndrome, they will be able to figure that out and determine your correct blood pressure...you won't lose your medical over that.

schwanm

I had this getting my first class 1, the doctor said he would leave the room for 5 minutes and left me lying on the examining table and told me to think about a calm beach.

He came back in and my reading was normal, no problem

KX125

I have the same problem. One thing I started doing is monitoring my bp at home just to prove to myself that I don't have a problem. While doing this I practice using different arm positions and breating rates to get the lowest reading possible. This seems to help me be more relaxed at the AME office. Also, I've noticed that I always test higher on a digital machine, with this in mind I always ask for the non-digital type with a large cuff. And lastly, I always do an intense workout approx. 2 hours before my appointment. BTW despite having the "white coat syndrome" I have been getting 1st class medicals for the last 20 years. Hope this helps!!

Diver Driver

If your white coat syndrome precludes you from getting a medical, you can also take readings over time at home and keep a log. This will be sufficient to the FAA. It will probably have to be supervised by your regular doctor, but I know that you can do that. I am on meds for my BP and havent had a problem getting my medical on the spot.

rickair7777

Oh, yeah those digital machines actually do read high for whatever reason.

HSLD

Go see your "regular doctor" and have him check to make sure that you don't have a problem - finding something early raises the probability of it being treatable and could make difference in your long term health.

USMCFLYR

Don't hold your breath and I've been told that you shouldn't cross your legs or have your other arm laying across your chest/stomach or anything.

As you have seen - the nerves can defintiely play a factor.
When I reported to Marine OCS I expected the DIs to hit us right after we got off the bus. instead - they were almost fatherly for TWO DAYS!
Then we had our medicals, went through the row of shots and walked through a door and there was the Master Sergeant about 3 inches from your ear
Come to find out - they were losing alot of people to the initial BP reading on the medical when they had been under thse stressful situation for two days prior to the medical.

Then came pick up, candidates - meet your Sgt Instructors................
Oh Lord what have I done!

USMCFLYR

mcis987

Thanks for the tips. Glad to know I'm not the only one out there. I tried listening to music, and wouldn't you know it - my BP was 115 over 75. I bought a home BP measurer, and I am using that to prove to myself that I have nothing to worry about. Thanks again!

KC10 FATboy

If you have muscular arms and the doctor uses a normal size cuff, you BP will be high. I always make sure I have them use the larger cuff. And like another said, NEVER use the automatic machines. Have them do it manually.