A CDL is important for truck drivers and they must pass a DOT (Department Of Transportation) Physical to get that. One regular component of these physical examinations is checking for hypertension or high blood pressure. Although high blood pressure can make the application ineligible, it doesn’t have to if it is managed appropriately.

As a trucking company working with truck drivers and owner-operators, we know how challenging it is to lead a healthy lifestyle. That’s why at Advanced Trucking, we provide as much support as we can, including constant training and reminders about committing to good health, necessary medications, and providing valuable resources.

But today, we’re going to focus on blood pressure for the DOT physical. We’ll divide it into two parts to provide a detailed guide on everything you need to know, including its implications, how it’s measured, and many more.

Blood Pressure Categories

• Normal: Whether using medication or not, blood pressure should be less than 140/90.
• Prehypertension: Blood pressure falls between 120/80 to 139/89.
• Stage 1 Hypertension: Blood pressure between 140/90 and 159/99; a one-year medical certificate that needs to be refreshed every 12 months.
• Stage 2 Hypertension: A three-month medical certification and blood pressure readings between 160/100 and 179/109. If the condition is not under control after three months, you will be disqualified. Every 12 months, you have to renew your medical card.
• Stage 3 Hypertension: Blood pressure of 180/110 or more results in automatic disqualification; if blood pressure is under control, certification lasts for six months, and you have to renew your medical card every six months.

High Blood Pressure Dangers

Hypertensive individuals are more susceptible to heart disease and other health issues. Treatment and routine blood pressure monitoring will help prevent major problems from this illness.

Hypertension Medical Effects:

If untreated, hypertension can result in dangerous illnesses like:

• Arteriosclerosis
• Enlarged Heart
• Heart attack
• Kidney damage
• Stroke

In most cases, hypertension is asymptomatic, thus drivers may not be aware that they have it. Among the symptoms that could exist are:

• Blood in urine
• Confusion
• Irregular heartbeat
• Nosebleed
• Pounding in the chest, neck, or ears
• Severe headache
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness
• Vision changes

How is Blood Pressure Measured?

Two numbers are used to denote blood pressure. Systolic pressure, the first number, represents the pressure in the arteries during a heartbeat when blood is pumped through them.

Diastolic pressure, the second figure, represents the pressure in the arteries during a heartbeat’s rest. 

The first number, 120/80, indicates the systolic pressure; the second number, the expression for a typical heartbeat, indicates the diastolic pressure.

What Are The DOT Physical Blood Pressure Limits?

Based on a driver’s systolic and diastolic blood pressure, high blood pressure, or hypertension, is typically divided into three stages (DBP).

Anything less than 120/80 is regarded as typical. The range for prehypertension is 120–139 over 80–89. Above that point, hypertension is regarded as stage one.

Truck drivers with stage three hypertension are still qualified for CDL approval.

How Does High Blood Pressure Affect Truck Driving?

Studies suggest that hypertension significantly escalates the risk of heart disease and that appropriate management mitigates cardiovascular disease and mortality. The trucker must continue to control their hypertension to be qualified for driving.

The patient may receive a medical certification to drive if taking hypertension medication does not have any side effects that would make it risky for them to do so.

What Happens If A Trucker Has Hypertension?

It can be difficult for drivers with high blood pressure to obtain a CDL. For instance, rather than requiring recertification every two years, drivers need to update their medical cards at least once annually. Similarly, drivers must maintain, with or without medication, a blood pressure of less than 140/90 (prehypertension or better).

Can Someone with High Blood Pressure Pass A DOT Physical Exam?

A driver’s license will not be revoked because to prior hypertension. A person will be permitted to drive if they can show that their blood pressure is under control and if further DOT medical checks confirm this.

This usually means that drivers who have hypertension will have to undergo more frequent medical recertification. The frequency of medical examinations for drivers with hypertension varies depending on their condition; more severe cases require more frequent checkups.

Nonetheless, a commercial driver will be instantly disqualified if their blood pressure is higher than 180/110.

Which Blood Pressure Will Cause A DOT Physical To Fail?

A driver’s eligibility for a CDL will not be impeded by a history of hypertension. For every stage of hypertension, there are restrictions on how high a driver’s blood pressure can go. If a trucker exceeds these limits, their CDL rights may be suspended.

With or without medication, all drivers (without hypertension) must have a blood pressure reading of less than 140/90.

The blood pressure range for drivers with Stage 1 hypertension is 140/90 to 159/99. These drivers’ medical cards will expire after a year, and they will need to be renewed annually.

Blood pressure readings between 160/100 and 179/109 are indicative of Stage 2 hypertension, and patients will receive a three-month medical certification. If the condition is not under control after three months, you will be disqualified.

Anyone with a blood pressure reading of 180/110 or higher is automatically disqualified for Stage 3 hypertension. Drivers can apply for a medical certification, which is valid for six months after blood pressure regulation.

All drivers are required by the DOT to keep their blood pressure under control, whether or not they take medication.

Can A Trucker With A Failed DOT Physical For High Blood Pressure Reapply?

The short answer is yes. To pass the DOT physical, drivers must have blood pressure that falls into either the Stage 1 or Stage 2 categories.
These are just some of the things you need to know about Blood Pressure and how it affects the DOT Physical. In the next post, we’ll talk more about the requirements for drivers with hypertension to keep their CDL, prescription truckers are allowed to take, and more.