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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Thanks for all of the replies!

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


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!

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