Blood pressure issue class one medical
Está servira para distraerle.
Well then, you must get the initial medical out of the way first. It's the big hurdle for the renewals are usually much more straightforward. Once you've done that you should be aware that, as a professional pilot, your livelihood depends upon your six monthly or annual medical. Unless you have prodigious loss of licence insurance or run a business on the side, your income walks finger in glove with your medical certificate.
That being the case then it's logical to be a little more careful about your health than the ordinary punter might be about his. Hypochondria is an undesirable manifestation but vigilance in matters medical is not.
In working with the UK CAA medical department you're dealing with one of the more pragmatic bodies in aviation medicine, dedicated more to keeping the aviator flying than to grounding him. In South Africa, as a contrary example, the Institute of Aviation Medicine employs some doctors whose digits you'd not want near your corpse, let alone your quivering recumbent form.
Good luck to you and a happy new year challenges conquered.
That being the case then it's logical to be a little more careful about your health than the ordinary punter might be about his. Hypochondria is an undesirable manifestation but vigilance in matters medical is not.
In working with the UK CAA medical department you're dealing with one of the more pragmatic bodies in aviation medicine, dedicated more to keeping the aviator flying than to grounding him. In South Africa, as a contrary example, the Institute of Aviation Medicine employs some doctors whose digits you'd not want near your corpse, let alone your quivering recumbent form.
Good luck to you and a happy new year challenges conquered.
Radgirl has hit the nail on the head.
Doctors often disagree, which is why it's called medical "opinion."
Your ambulatory bp suggests there is nothing more sinister here, than nerves.
The maximums and minimums are irrelevant here, the average daytime systolic and diastolic readings are key. If someone wanted to argue the toss, which I doubt they would, your average daytime systolic is 3 points over. The AME's have a duty to protect your passengers, and all that are underneath them, but they don't seem to be deliberately in the business of failing pilots.
Enjoy your flying career.
Haven't lookrd at the caa algorithm, here's what I use... http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/liv...6015/56015.pdf
Doctors often disagree, which is why it's called medical "opinion."
Your ambulatory bp suggests there is nothing more sinister here, than nerves.
The maximums and minimums are irrelevant here, the average daytime systolic and diastolic readings are key. If someone wanted to argue the toss, which I doubt they would, your average daytime systolic is 3 points over. The AME's have a duty to protect your passengers, and all that are underneath them, but they don't seem to be deliberately in the business of failing pilots.
Enjoy your flying career.
Haven't lookrd at the caa algorithm, here's what I use... http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/liv...6015/56015.pdf
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: long Left base for 23R
Age: 78
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Haven't looked at the CAA algorithm, here's what I use
NICE defines hypertension as BP consistently over 140/90, which is exactly the level specified in the CAA's algorithm ! (ie the level below which all is considered to be well ). In the CAA scheme of things there is then a "needs further consideration" interval, up to 160/95. If either figure is above those, then grounding ensues (albeit maybe only temporarily).
Yes it's quite interesting Ulster, we start with a patient in need, and we all have a little scuffle over the evidence.
Personally, I reckon that's a healthy sign. I reckon we've sorted out patryan's queries between us.
So what about the evidence ?
The diastolic vs systolic question is quite interesting. It's based on "expert opinion," and, to be fair, it seems sensible, that a raised diastolic (which accounts for 2/3's of the cardiac cycle), is more damaging than a raised systolic (which accounts for 1/3 of the cardiac cycle.) Outcome based studies refute this.
Doctors used to base much of their practice on this sort of thing, nurses even more so.
It's a fair enough assumption, but when you start looking at more robust studies, (studying interventions and outcomes), it would appear that the picture is more complex.
The latest hypertension guidance is a little bit of a mish mash, combining the opinion of the great and good, (poor evidence) a few cohort studies, (mid range evidence) and the odd incidental finding from an RCT (better).
Merry Xmas, Nurse (with an attitude), Ginge.
Personally, I reckon that's a healthy sign. I reckon we've sorted out patryan's queries between us.
So what about the evidence ?
The diastolic vs systolic question is quite interesting. It's based on "expert opinion," and, to be fair, it seems sensible, that a raised diastolic (which accounts for 2/3's of the cardiac cycle), is more damaging than a raised systolic (which accounts for 1/3 of the cardiac cycle.) Outcome based studies refute this.
Doctors used to base much of their practice on this sort of thing, nurses even more so.
It's a fair enough assumption, but when you start looking at more robust studies, (studying interventions and outcomes), it would appear that the picture is more complex.
The latest hypertension guidance is a little bit of a mish mash, combining the opinion of the great and good, (poor evidence) a few cohort studies, (mid range evidence) and the odd incidental finding from an RCT (better).
Merry Xmas, Nurse (with an attitude), Ginge.
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: long Left base for 23R
Age: 78
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The diastolic vs systolic question is quite interesting. It's based on "expert opinion," and, to be fair, it seems sensible that a raised diastolic (which accounts for 2/3's of the cardiac cycle), is more damaging than a raised systolic (which accounts for 1/3 of the cardiac cycle). Outcome based studies refute this
The distinction is further blurred in that we simply do not have any treatments at all which specifically target either of the BP parameters individually.
Seasonal greetings to you too !
I authored a systematic review in the 90's, around the treatment and outcomes in Isolated Systolic Hypertension. I'm afraid to say, I haven't picked it up since I wrote it !
I think the general consensus now it to lower both the readings, (the agent used is probably not that important.)
Of course, patient choice, side effects etc, offer greater challenges.
I think the general consensus now it to lower both the readings, (the agent used is probably not that important.)
Of course, patient choice, side effects etc, offer greater challenges.
Ever since I started having my BP checked regularly, it was around 125-130/90, despite the fact that I was cycling about 200-300km/week and was never more than 5kg over my racing weight. Whenever he checked it, the doc would tell me I was borderline for my age, and should continue to watch it, particularly with a family history of heart disease.
When I retired, It dropped to 125/85. Great says the doc, but they've changed the guidelines and you're still borderline. A couple of years later, I was on a low dose medication, and it's more to his liking now.
When I retired, It dropped to 125/85. Great says the doc, but they've changed the guidelines and you're still borderline. A couple of years later, I was on a low dose medication, and it's more to his liking now.
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: florida
Age: 78
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BP
2 things 1) always quote your BP with this format 129/76.
2) be aware that even if u are diagnosed with high BP, it does not mean you won`t be issued a med, these days there are tons of BP lowering drugs,..
2) be aware that even if u are diagnosed with high BP, it does not mean you won`t be issued a med, these days there are tons of BP lowering drugs,..
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: long Left base for 23R
Age: 78
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've just sent my results in the post over to Gatwick today, so I hope to get a response in the next few days
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Littleton
Age: 29
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
am one thing that has been on my mind since i travelled to gatwick, when i was leaving the doctor said she would send me a letter in the post, i suppose just giving me a information of how the medical went etc, its the 2nd of January now and i travelled on the 16th? Should i be worried...
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: long Left base for 23R
Age: 78
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Should I be worried...?
As the old saying goes : "Bad news travels much faster than good" !
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Littleton
Age: 29
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just received the letter today just stating that ive two options aether send over three blood pressure readings, or wear a 24 hour bp monitor and send over the results which i have already done! Thankfully there was no other complications just a straight forward request to send over the results. Il keep in formed when i get the verdict from gatwick!
