Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Ground & Other Ops Forums > Medical & Health
Reload this Page >

High Blood Pressure and a Class 1

Medical & Health News and debate about medical and health issues as they relate to aircrews and aviation. Any information gleaned from this forum MUST be backed up by consulting your state-registered health professional or AME. Due to advertising legislation in various jurisdictions, endorsements of individual practitioners is not permitted.

High Blood Pressure and a Class 1

Old 18th Apr 2014, 14:11
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Manchester
Age: 30
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
High Blood Pressure and a Class 1

My dad has high blood pressure and so has a (cheap) machine in the house which measure the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. I tried it the other day and my Systolic is 143, Diastolic 71 with a pulse of 42. I later tried a second reading again to the same results except a Systolic BP of 137.

I've looked on the CAA website and it appears that the high blood pressure is classed as >140 and they take 3 readings with the lowest being used.

I was hoping to gain my Class one in a month or so and was wondering if i scores >140 on all three attempts, would I fail and what would my options be after that?



As a side note I'm not sure why I have such high blood pressure as I am very active, have a healthy diet and don't drink loads. I also currently hold a class 2.


Any help greatly appreciated.
Zaphod3000 is offline  
Old 20th Apr 2014, 02:49
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Dark Side of the Moon
Posts: 1,425
Received 205 Likes on 68 Posts
The actual limit for renewal is 155/95, so you are nowhere near that. Also the 140/90 that you talk about is uncontrolled.

If you average 3 readings were above this then they would likely give you a 24 hour pressure cuff to wear so that a more accurate 'average' could be taken.

If this was also shown to have your average pressure above 140/90 then they would likely advise that you visit your GP and try some 'medication', after a few weeks you would then have another reading to see if your pressure has reduced.

Its a funny thing BP, you may suspect it is high so that stresses you out during the medical which can lead to even higher readings. From the sounds of you their isn't any significant lifestyle issues so I doubt you will have any trouble at all. Also you can't rely on those 'at home' machines unless they are calibrated and verified by your GP.

I know lots of guys and girls flying in the airlines with high BP that is very successfully controlled through lifestyle/medication and it doesn't stop them holding a class one.
Ollie Onion is offline  
Old 20th Apr 2014, 03:44
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,553
Received 24 Likes on 13 Posts
In Canada every drugstore has a blood pressure machine.

I can be 130/77 but when I went to the periodontist for implants and plunking down $8,000 it was 180/90.

You did not mention your weight -- it can have a major effect on BP.

I assume you're a non-smoker. If you do smoke, consider that I lost my grandfather and father both at age 51 to strokes caused by smoking.

If there's something hereditary that produces elevated BP in your family even when you are doing all the right things, you need to work with your GP.
RatherBeFlying is offline  
Old 20th Apr 2014, 14:25
  #4 (permalink)  
Está servira para distraerle.
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: In a perambulator.
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Think of your blood pressure as your penis.
If the pressure is too high, you'll walk around with a permanent erection which eventually will become inconvenient. If you don't believe me, try overdosing on Viagra. (After you've spoken with your AME of course.) Too low a blood pressure has, as its analogy in the context, a retracted penis. A retracted penis often causes embarrassment when you try to stand it up. Faced with either of these options, although the former sounds more amusing, it will soon dawn on one that average is the best place in which to find oneself. Six inches is as you like it and 137/71 should hardly merit a second glance at the Sphygmomanometer even were the physician a woman of good repute. As between each state of penile pronouncement a different Texas Condom is required just as a particular treatment is necessary for either high or low blood pressure. All should be avoided whenever possible for these treatments are a life time affliction just like wearing the jolly old snappy latex.
The next time the doctor places the blood pressure arm band around your upper arm, try not to think of the rise and fall of your penis. Failure to do as suggested will almost inevitably lead to you laughing out loud and a subtle change in BP readings.
There are those on this thread who know less than I, some who know more and others who really do. The suspicion is that you'll be told you're quite normally average. One would suggest that you confine your erectile checks to the six months in between each Class 1 medical and don't go messing around and experimenting in areas of science where a little knowledge is a dangerous thing which can lead to paranoia and mental misery. One could get a headache and think one has a brain tumour.
cavortingcheetah is offline  
Old 20th Apr 2014, 18:39
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Kiwiland
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 4 Posts
Zaphod 3000. I doubt your pulse was really 42 even if you are training for the olympics so I suspect ALL the readings were inaccurate. The diastolic is the one that doctors worry about (ok chaps lets not restart that thread) and yours is fine. Dont forget your blood pressure was checked for your class 2 and must have been OK!!!

Even though feeling well and exercising does not guarantee normal blood pressure, I very much doubt yours will be raised at your age. If it is you would have some serious medical issues and it seems you dont.

So I would forget the experience and go do your medical!

For anyone else wanting to self worry, so called cheap machines are fine but they need to be made by a reputable company. Omron is my recommendation - I have no interest in the company, but have bought them for under $50 and they are reliable and last for years
Radgirl is offline  
Old 21st Apr 2014, 10:40
  #6 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Manchester
Age: 30
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for all of the replies!

I am 20 years old, 12 stone and a non-smoker RatherBeFlying.


I doubt your pulse was really 42 even if you are training for the olympics so I suspect ALL the readings were inaccurate. The diastolic is the one that doctors worry about (ok chaps lets not restart that thread) and yours is fine. Dont forget your blood pressure was checked for your class 2 and must have been OK!!!

....For anyone else wanting to self worry, so called cheap machines are fine but they need to be made by a reputable company. Omron is my recommendation
The machine in question was an Omron! And my heart rate is indeed that slow (confirmed with multiple HRM I own! I am very active!

Again thank you for all the help! I think I'll be fine, will just have to relax at the medical and fingers crossed it wont be a problem!
Zaphod3000 is offline  
Old 22nd Apr 2014, 17:59
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Kiwiland
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 4 Posts
Then I would be even less worried. If you want to be fanatical take your readings at different times of the day but always lying down and after resting. Suspect the naughty number will improve, but even if not I would be concerned

Good luck
Radgirl is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.