Dallas

I was considering a career in the airline induustry and was wondering what your blood pressure needs to be. I am a sophmore in highschool and play football yearly which requires a physical. I had a slip up a few years ago causing the top number on my blood pressure to hit 155. I knew my blood pressure wasn't that high but I was still very nervous going back for a second check-up and I believe heart rate affects the top number. Does the top number even matter for these check-ups? I am sure pilots are more than nervous going in for those check-ups considering their career is on the line.

luv757

You may have white coat, especially if you know you are nervous. I have a bit of that myself. First thing is to excersice regularly and watch your diet. Cut out the fast food. Second, get a home BP monitor and take it at your house. You will likely find that it is in the normal range. Hopefully that helps. If you are really unsure though, talk to a doc.

Dallas

will do, thankyou

BlackRocket

I have this problem for a while now and have some understanding of it. First of all, "white coat syndrome" is a possibility, but if a BP cuff gets your blood pressure high then many other day-day routines will also elevate it. Secondly, high BP affects a lot of your internal organs to include your heart, liver and kidneys. To determine whether you have high BP you should invest in a quality cuff and as the previous reply suggested take it at home. However to get accurate results you should take it at home for at least 5-days and take the average. This will get you more accurate systolic/diastolic results. An average over 140/85-90 should be looked into and probably medicated. You will not collapse from high BP tomorrow, but the long term effects are serious. Some other factoids are; Your BP is always lower after you wake-up then later in the day, If you do a heavy workout with weights; (esp. the larger leg muscles), the day prior your results will be lower due to the blood going to feed the muscles, If you drink a lot of water 2-3 hours before getting your BP checked it can be lower. Lastly there are a number of mild meds out there that can lower your BP 20 points and have no long term side effects and are accepted by the FAA. This can be a serious problem if not treated so don't take it lightly.

Best of luck,

haroon

if your doc says your bp is normal and you are just suffering from white coat suydrome then you can try massaging the side of your neck before going in for your check. There are baroreceptors there in the carotid artery that will momentarily reduce the pressure. But dont do it on both sides simultaneously as you can faint. Massaging the right area is important, you'll have to ask a doc to show it to you. This is not a guarantee it just might help.

For articles on aero medical everybody is invited to http://www.theairlinepilots.com

regards

ultradrvr

All very intelligent responses and In my opinion all correct...I fly for the majors and I am currently on BP medication.....first and formost your health is priorty one....go talk to your doc and see whats going on, if anything...if medication is in your future then so be it...I was scared to death of taking a class 1 physical because my bp was borderline....I got me a little pill, I'm not over weight, I dont watch what I eat but I do excerise and I now go to the doc relaxed because I know my bp will not wash me out of flying...we have captains with heart blockages that have been repaired flying amongst us with no problems...so not to worry grasshopper! Good luck and I hope to see you in a seat some day.

Crap, now my chest hurts!!

KiloAlpha

I know this is an over simplified definition, but here goes:

Blood pressure is systolic over diastolic. Systolic is the pressure in your artery when you heart is contracting; making pressure. Diastolic is the pressure in your artery when you heart is not contracting; at rest.