NEW MEDICAL - no more BP meds - now what?
 

A guy at our company came to me with this question, I suppose because my own BP is elevated and I "know" about the topic. But this question is a little different

This person, who holds a Comm pilot license, is working in admin/corporate functions in the company, he has an expired 2nd class, it expired last year. Now he will come into the flight department as a Co-Pilot and will be getting a new medical.

He WAS on BP meds for approx two months, up until 90 days ago (meds started in March 2008 until April 2008, then in May 2008 until present no meds), but due to lifestyle changes, new diet, exercise, he made the decision to stop taking them and monitor his BP. It was much lower, and under FAA standards. It is still fine to this day. No BP meds. BP meds stopped over 90 days ago. No BP meds currently used, and his BP is within FAA protocol.

Remember, his medical certificate is expired and he has not flown at all (exercised his airman certificate) while the short time that he was on BP meds.

Now, when applying for a NEW medical, he will of course disclose that he had elevated BP in the past and if the AME asks, he will explain his lifestyle changes, etc.

MY QUESTION:

If he is NO LONGER ON BP MEDS, and MEETS the BP protocol, will he still need to send in blood work, ECG, all that stuff to the FAA?

I advised him to "disclose" but don't advertise...we don't need to raise red flags if we can avoid it. He plans on reporting "No medications currently used" on the medical application (which is true, it says currently), then check the "yes, I had elevated BP in the past" box, then verbally explain the situation to the AME.

Anyone see anything wrong with this or improper, etc? (I don't, but I want to toss this out to the audience to digest).

The alternative is get started on obtaining the ECG, blood work, hypertension paperwork the FAA needs which frankly, if we don't have to do it, we won't. Why roll the dice on the ECG machine having transient voltage or breakfast tacos showing up in bloodwork if we don't need to.

Is referral for ecg , dependent on having a diagnosis of hypertension?



Thought it depends on age??

What "blood work?"

How olds the guy?

Best is to declare your hypertensive status with no medication. Go through with the required tests which should generally be normal. ( ECG will not much change with mild hypertension). I am you will get your full fitness and may be monitored for BP during next few medicals. It is better to get a high BP treated then to live with it. Flying with medication is no issue.