DieselGenSet Posted March 22, 2014 Posted March 22, 2014 Just wondering if any current pilots out there know if high blood pressure will be a problem for me staying in the seat if I am accepted into WOFT? Can you take blood pressure meds to keep it under control or is it strictly forbidden? Quote
Lastshot Posted March 22, 2014 Posted March 22, 2014 They might temporarily DQ you, but if you get it corrected you'll be fine. Just eat right and exercise so you don't have to take meds (meds won't fly in the military, no pun intended). I spoke with a fighter pilot who said having higher BP is actually a plus because you don't pass out as quickly ...apparently there is more blood rushing to the head. Quote
skyreaper Posted March 22, 2014 Posted March 22, 2014 This is a purely speculative answer: Unless the highBP is chronic... That is, you are genetically predisposed (who isn't) i think its correctable. Take diabetes for example, your habits over time activate genes that bring about certain latent diseases that may otherwise stay subdued. Not to necessarily relate BP to diabetes, but point is valid. Epigenetics. From what I remember about FAA Airman medical certification, high BP can be an issue. Weve all prob heard of the random airline capt. who suddenly has a heart attack after catching glideslope on an ILS. Having said that, IMO, daily habits are the catalyst. Ive seen 50+ yr old pilots say that some subtle changes in diet and moderate exercise did wonders. Dude in particular, 160th CW4, multiple post Army flying contracts, including my company, had some high BP issues, cut out all flour and carbs, BP dropped to normal. He tried meds before altering diet, to no avail. I recommend the standard healthy lifestyle: try the paleo diet (it is difficult, but this alone will likely drop BP to normal (No flour, its very hard i like mexican food, moderation)), you should already be doing some moderate exercise, if u use tobacco... Stop. If all else fails, take an aspirin 3 hrs before your BP is taken. Prob every other day if its actually a problem. Im pretty sure this is a correctable issue. Chris Kyle talked about high BP issues as a SEAL in his book, he did pretty much what I outlined here. And I will agree that meds dont fly. Research for your own solutions. 1 Quote
DieselGenSet Posted March 22, 2014 Author Posted March 22, 2014 Ok thank you, I am already watching my diet and I exercise very regular. I have always been thin and healthy, but Bp has run a little higher than most regardless. It's not high enough to be a problem yet but just want to do all I can to keep it down and wasn't sure where the army stood on the matter. I'll try the no flour diet and can't say I ever take aspirin either . Thanks again Quote
Flim Posted March 22, 2014 Posted March 22, 2014 I did my physical yesterday... My Bp changes a lot depending what's going on. 129 is the limit , and I pulled a 138 then a 144 the second time. The nurse put me in a dark room and made me rest for 10 mins... I pulled a 120/70 the third time. Just saying that nerves can play big part! Quote
DieselGenSet Posted March 22, 2014 Author Posted March 22, 2014 It's been the same for me too! And I swore that's all it was , but lately it's consistently been high even when in not stressed or nervous. Trying to figure it out with my doctor now. Maybe a good breathing routine before a Bp test will help me Quote
Lastshot Posted March 22, 2014 Posted March 22, 2014 Generally, lifestyle changes can dramatically improve it if your situation is chronic. Good diet. Plenty of sleep. Exercise. Those are things you should do anyways as you prepare for your APFT. For the military physicals, as long as you're below 140/90 when they take the reading, you're good. A college friend of mine was temporarily DQ'd due to high BP. I asked him why since he never had a history of it. He got no sleep the night before and had salty food in the morning. That'll do it. Quote
apacheguy Posted March 23, 2014 Posted March 23, 2014 Definitely don't freak about your BP, that'll just make it higher. Do what the above posts say and you should be ok. I would add - dehydrate yourself slightly if you can get away with it. The less volume you have in your blood the lower your BP will be, that's why army medics check your BP when you get a heat cat. Quote
brackac Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 White coat syndrome may play a part in it. Once you get passed the initial, and actually start flying, the standards change. I know so many guys on BP pills, or cholesterol pills, and almost every pilot I know over the rank of W2 is on some sort of permanent profile. Quote
Flim Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 WCS,lol Everytime I go and get a medical my BP goes up. 1 Quote
brackac Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 WCS,lol Everytime I go and get a medical my BP goes up. Yeah, I know a few guys who go through the roof when the BP cuff hits their arm. Quote
akscott60 Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 Yeah, I know a few guys who go through the roof when the BP cuff hits their arm. Mine does. I have pretty bad "white coat hypertension". Give me two minutes to close my eyes and relax, and it f*cking drops like a rock. I just hate getting my bloodpressure taken. Knowing something could ground me. 2 Quote
ronricorum88 Posted June 10, 2015 Posted June 10, 2015 Just for clarification: Are you automatically DQ'd if you have high bp but corrected with meds, prior to being selected/initial Flight Physical? Are you automatically DQ'd if you have hereditary high bp even if correctable with meds? Thanks guy/gals Quote
Yamer Posted June 10, 2015 Posted June 10, 2015 (edited) must be all those hot nurses.... Yeah, we'll say it's that. Edited June 10, 2015 by Yamer Quote
TachedOutOffRoad Posted June 17, 2015 Posted June 17, 2015 Here is the AR http://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/r40_501.pdf You can look up your condition here. Read how it is worded. What you wont see is the waiver process, but its a good starting point. Quote
Gomer Pylot Posted June 17, 2015 Posted June 17, 2015 Caffeine will also affect blood pressure. Back when I was young, long long ago, my blood pressure was low, and a few times it was below the minimum when they took it. They told me to go have some coffee and come back. Enough coffee brought it up just enough to pass. Younger males who do a lot of physical exercise, like we did in the airborne, commonly have lower blood pressure. If yours is high, you owe it to yourself to get it under control, or you may have severe health problems later in life. Lifestyle changes are better, and more effective, than drugs. Quote
Ritter Posted December 9, 2015 Posted December 9, 2015 I want to go to sick call, but the high bp thing freaks me out. Quote
KING Posted December 12, 2015 Posted December 12, 2015 Add some cayenne pepper and raw garlic into your diet. It will help clear up your vein system and help maintain a healthy BP. 1 Quote
brackac Posted December 13, 2015 Posted December 13, 2015 Are we talking before or after the no notice 5/9 after Christmas break? Quote
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