If you’re worried about passing the DOT physical requirements, especially, the DOT blood pressure requirements, you’re in the right place. We’ll go over what you need to do to pass the physical.
What are the most recent DOT physical requirements?
DOT Physicals cover:
- Blood pressure
- Urinalysis
- Vision
- Hearing
- General physical exam
DOT Physical Requirements:
DOT Blood Pressure
<140/90 = 2 year certificate
140-159 / 90-99 = 1 year certificate
160-179/ 100-109= 3 month certificate
>180 / 110 = Disqualifying
Vision
Drivers must see 20/40 on the Snellen eye test in both eyes with or without corrective lenses. Glasses and contact lenses are allowed.
Color Distinction
Drivers need to be able to distinguish between red, yellow, and green. If you do struggle with color distinction, there are special contact lenses that may be able to help you. Talk to your eye doctor about it.
Hearing
Truck drivers must be able to hear a forced whisper more than five feet away in at least one ear. Hearing aids are allowed during the test to meet requirements.
Cardiovascular Health
No current diagnosis of cardiac insufficiency, collapse, congestive failure, or any other cardiovascular disease.
How to Control High Blood Pressure
It’s not clear whether or not you can control your blood pressure with prescription medication and still pass the DOT physical. TO stay on the safe side, opt for these natural remedies to control your blood pressure.
Take supplements
If your blood pressure is just a little high, consider using a supplement to control it. Beetroot juice is a very effective supplement that lowers blood pressure naturally. If you don’t like the taste of beets, try out a beetroot powder supplement like HeartBeet Complete. HeartBeet Complete is a beetroot powder supplement that contains other heart healthy ingredients like l-arginine, l-citrulline, turmeric, and CoQ10.
Exercise Every Day
Exercising regularly is one of the very best things that you can do for your health. Exercising 150 minutes each weeks can lower your blood pressure by 5 to 8 mm Hg if you have high blood pressure.
Eat a Healthy Diet
What you eat has a very important impact on your blood pressure. Choose a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and is low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
Shed Extra Pounds
As your weight increases, your blood pressure often does too. Weight loss is one of the best ways to lower your blood pressure naturally. Losing even a small amount of weight can help you reduce your blood pressure.
Limit Alcohol Intake
Drinking more than moderate amounts of alcohol can raise your blood pressure by several points. Moderate amounts of alcohol are one drink for women per day and two for men.
Stop Smoking
Cigarettes contain nicotine, which is a stimulant. Every cigarette that you smoke increases your blood pressure. Quitting smoking can help drop your blood pressure by several points.
Reduce Stress
Stress causes your blood pressure to rise temporarily, but if you’re under chronic stress, your blood pressure will rise indefinitely. Use stress-relieving techniques to calm down if you need to!
Monitor Your Blood Pressure at Home
Home monitoring can help you keep track of your blood pressure. Talk to your doctor about home monitoring before you start—and make sure that you’re well versed on blood pressure readings.