In some cases the company you work for will cover the associated expenses, but there are cases where your personal insurance company should pay for it! So, I advise you to read well the fine print on the bottom of your contract!
Foods That Can Help you Lower Blood Pressure for Your DOT Physical Exam
What can help prevent or normalize blood pressure for taking the DOT Physical Exam is a diet low in sodium but in same time rich on magnesium, potassium and calcium. This diet is known as the DASH diet.
One thing that always works for me, when I need to lower my blood pressure is the beet juice! I had read online a while ago, right before taking my DOT Physical exam, on one of the numerous trucker forums that the nitric oxide found in beets relaxes blood vessels and dilates them.
That helps the blood flow more easily and lowers blood pressure. So I tried and YES, It works for me! Within three hours of drinking beet juice I had my pressure normalized. But I am not advocating doing this as a way to cheat the test.
Now, keep in mind, just because it worked for me, does not mean that it will be good for you too! Plus, I don’t have any serious issues with blood pressure anyway. I probably had an anxiety right before the DOT physical exam, and that is why the numbers was high!
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Some other foods that are known to lower blood pressure are:
- Dairy;
- Olive Oil;
- Chocolate;
- Flaxseed;
- Pomegranate.
But, what I am recommending you to do is visit your regular doctor and do some checkups and consultations.
This is especially true and recommended, if you have serious issues with your blood pressure, you fighting obesity or you planning on drastically changing your lifestyle or doing an extreme diet (which isn’t recommended without medical advice).
What You Need To Know About Lowering Blood Pressure
As a truck driver or truck driver to be, here are some facts and figures that you need to know about your blood pressure and its importance on the DOT physical exam.
One thing that definitely will relax you to know is the fact that truck drivers with high blood pressure can still be medically certified to drive, but will have to work on lowering their blood pressure to under 140/90.
Those drivers additionally will have to re-certify at least once each year (maybe even twice a year) rather than every 2 years.
Furthermore, FMCSA accepts BP medication as a method for controlling your pressure, but the medication has to be prescribed from your actual physician, and no over-the-counter drugs are allowed.
Additionally, there are a million and one ways and methods for controlling, lowering, and even preventing high blood pressure.
For instance, you can change/ improve your lifestyle and try to stay healthy, fit and sharp on the road. You can start doing some workouts, regular truck driver fitness, and stay away from the caloric meals that truck drivers tend to have.
If you fighting obesity and with that suffering from height blood pressure there are some things you can do, such as regularly visit your doctor for routine checkups.
Also make some changes in your diet, work toward weight lost, exercise, and have better sleep patterns.
Methods That Can Help you Lower your Blood Pressure for the DOT Physical Exam
Now I am going to zip through a few pointers and tips for lowering your blood pressure, which can be for both short and long-term.
However, nothing beats going to the doctor and having the trained professionals guide you and your goals of improving your health.
Like I have said there are a numerous things you can do to keep your blood pressure where it needs to be.
Not just for the DOT physical exam, but for the good of your mind and body. I can offer you a few quick pointers, but again always get proper advice.
Now of course some of the things in the following sentences might seem obvious. But those are the hardest habits to break. So with that in mind, eating a bit healthier, including reducing your salt and sodium intake is a step in the right direction.
Sure, there are a few recommended foods that are readily available! Like your momma always said, “Eat your vegetables”.
Well it was true then and still is today. But along with that are your fruits. And if you can eat things rich in potassium, well that’s all the better for you.
So, that would be things like bananas, potatoes, white beans, leafy greens, and apricots. Also drinking beet juice which I mention earlier is said to help. Some say this could lower your blood pressure within just a couple hours; it took three hours to lower mine!
In addition to this remember to drink plenty of water. Staying well hydrated is very important for all your organs. But water also helps flush out the toxins and other impurities, thereby assisting in maintaining a healthy blood pressure level.
Don’t Smoke, Don’t Drink Alcohol, and Cut the Caffeine! Not Just 2 Days before Your DOT Physical Exam. Quit NOW!
This is a lifetime advice, not just something you should do two days prior to your DOT Physical exam.
We all know, and it’s a common sense the fact that nicotine, caffeine and alcohol have bed impact on your body and metabolism. This is even more so true when it comes to your blood pressure. All those bad habits increase your BP, especially in the short-term but in long terms as well.
