High Blood Pressure

Cessnaflyer

Cessnaflyer

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
I went to get my eyes checked and prescription updated for my glasses (Still doing good! :) ) and they checked my blood pressure and it was fairly high. He said not to worry though because it was an inaccurate cuff type meter. I feel in recent times though that it could've been right. I don't have the numbers but I think it might have been 148/96?

My physical background has changed in the past few months so I'll give you a brief rundown.

I'm 6'3" and a steady 170 lbs. which I believe is mostly bone and fat :rotfl: I've been studying almost non stop in school and when I get free time it is usually to sit and watch tv or lurk some more here on JC. I haven't really done much physical activity since may of last year and am out of breath after I jog more then 10 minutes. I drink alcohol heavily and usually eat something that comes out of a can and can be heated in the microwave in the flight line. The worst part is that when I feel really stressed like during checkrides or a hard IFR day my chest feels like it is going to tighten up and collapse on itself.

I never thought school and flying would take such a toll on my body. I used to be at one point 200 lbs all muscle and never really felt bad in my life but now things are going down hill since taking on some things. What should I do to change my life around and get back to a fit and healthy person for my next 2nd class medical in May? I have school tomorrow and might have some free time after ground school to go to the fire department to get some better blood pressure numbers

Thank you!
 
My dad just took my blood pressure and it was 144/76 this is not looking good. Also I forgot to add was that I don't have a history of high blood pressure.
 
First, the FAA accepts 155/95 for blood pressure for your flight physical:confused:.

Second, the proper way to take blood pressure is outlined here with the information coming from the NIH. There should be 3 readings on each of three different days. Then average the numbers to get the true blood pressure.
The accurate measurement of BP is the sine qua
non for successful management. The equipment—
whether aneroid, mercury, or electronic—should
be regularly inspected and validated. The operator
should be trained and regularly retrained in
the standardized technique, and the patient must
be properly prepared and positioned.4,56,57 The
auscultatory method of BP measurement should
be used.58 Persons should be seated quietly for at
least 5 minutes in a chair (rather than on an exam
table), with feet on the floor, and arm supported
at heart level. Caffeine, exercise, and smoking
should be avoided for at least 30 minutes prior to
measurement. An appropriately
sized cuff (cuff bladder encircling at least 80 percent
of the arm) should be used to ensure accuracy.
At least two measurements should be made
and the average recorded. For manual determinations,
palpated radial pulse obliteration pressure
should be used to estimate SBP—the cuff should
then be inflated 20–30 mmHg above this level for
the auscultatory determinations; the cuff deflation
rate for auscultatory readings should be 2 mmHg
per second. SBP is the point at which the first of
two or more Korotkoff sounds is heard (onset of
phase 1), and the disappearance of Korotkoff
sound (onset of phase 5) is used to define DBP.
Clinicians should provide to patients, verbally and
in writing, their specific BP numbers and the BP
goal of their treatment.

Third, you need to change your lifestyle: stop drinking alcohol, cut down on the amout of sodium you take in (canned foods are bad about this), start exercising and stop any caffeine intake. If the blood pressure is still up after a month of this, then you need to see your doc.
 
Had a similar reading (scare) a couple of years ago. I'd advise to get into your regular doctor for a checkup. Mine prescribed some medication and exercise. Both worked and no problems with FAA...
 
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