Keeping your blood pressure low is extremely important for trucker’s safety on the road.
High blood pressure is a major factor affecting commercial truck drivers and is taken very seriously in the trucking industry. There are strict rules for truckers getting their DOT medical certification for blood pressure, and drivers with high blood pressure may not be qualified to drive. If the blood pressure is high yet manageable, drivers will need to be frequently recertified to make sure their blood pressure doesn’t go over the maximum. The rules are so strict because high blood pressure can cause serious injuries, especially for truck drivers who present a serious risk for not only themselves but others on the road around them.
What Truck Drivers Should Know
- Drivers who have high blood pressure can be medically certified to drive. However, the blood pressure must be at or below 140/90, with or without medication.
- A DOT medical re-certification for drivers with high blood pressure can initially be anywhere from 3 months to 1 year, depending on severity, then recertification will be required yearly. The DOT physical will become a part of trucker’s driving record.
- There are multiple methods, both short-term and long-term, that you can use to help lower your blood pressure.
- Drivers will not be qualified, even temporarily, if their blood pressure reaches above 181/105.
How Blood Pressure Affects Your Health
- A high risk for heart disease and other potentially serious problems
- Hypertension leads to damage in your arteries, as they harden and thicken. This can cause fat to collect inside them and restricts blood flow, leading to many potentially life-threatening bodily damage.
- Untreated high blood pressure can affect eyesight and lead to eye disease.
- The constant pressure of blood flowing through weakened arteries can lead to an aneurysm.
- Poor blood circulation and damage to blood vessels can lead to brain damage and impairment, strokes, and kidney damage.
How To Reduce Blood Pressure
Our bodies are designed to move, and while truck driving is a mentally demanding job, truckers often struggle to get enough physical activity due to long hauls. Our hearts are dependent on the rest of our bodies to move to help move blood around, and as truckers spend many hours sitting, their hearts will take on the heavy burden of pumping blood throughout the whole body.
Someone with high blood pressure doesn’t always need medication right away, as lifestyle changes can often control hypertension. Some ways to reduce blood pressure include:
- Exercising as often as possible, even for just a few minutes a day. Many exercises can be done with no equipment in an open area. When you’ve parked for the night, take 15-20 minutes to do some stretching and a quick ab or leg workout- your body will thank you for it.
- A healthy diet is also an important lifestyle change for lowering blood pressure and try to boost potassium while reducing your sodium intake.
- Limit the amount of alcohol and caffeine you drink.
- No smoking
- Take the time to figure out how to reduce your stress
- Monitor your blood pressure and visit a doctor regularly
For All Your Trucking Needs
Evan Transportation provides trucking and transportation services for clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. All of our drivers and staff are offered competitive salaries, benefits, and are guaranteed to be home every day. Interested in finding out more? Visit us online or give us a call at 443-673-3365. For even more information, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Google+.
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