The Blood Pressure Superthread

[Thirstyson]

Is it still high when you take it yourself?  Mine went pretty high during my medical exam and pt test, but when taken on my own or in any situation where I'm not nervous or being 'tested' it's normal. Make sure your heart rate is normal too when being tested.

 

[Inch]

It shouldn't be a show stopper, keep in mind that "normal" is an average and isn't always normal for everyone. My BP is always 130ish/80ish and I've never had a problem on my pilot medicals, it's just normal for me and has been like that since my mid-teens. The worst that will happen is you'll have to go see a cardiologist and get them to say you're fine. I had to jump through that hoop the first time I got my civilian pilot's medical. When I applied to the CF I had to go see a neurologist because something in my EEG wasn't "normal", he checked me over, declared me serviceable and I got in with no more problems.

Good luck amigo, hope it works out for you.

 

[Armymedic]

There is no prob with an occasional "high" blood pressure reading.

Red flag is repeated readings of higher then 140 mm Hg systolic or 90 mm Hg diastolic, in a laying position after 10 15 mins of rest.
Also family history and cardiac risk factors come to play to indicate whether any tmt should be started.

 

[ReadyAyeReady]

So I went to do my PT test today and was told by the tester that I was not allowed to do it today because my blood pressure reading was not below 140!  Apparantly I have to take some form to my doctor and have him do a blood pressure test on me and then sign it before I can do the PT test.  The real bugger is that my pressure read 141...only 1 over and the guy still wouldn't do it.

I'm actually very shocked because I have never ever had a problem with blood pressure in the past.  My family doctor has never mentioned me having any abnormal readings and I did fine on the medical test.  I'm an active person who goes running and to the gym 3-4 times per week, I work a labour intensive job and am on my feet 7 hours a day, and I eat relatively healthy.

I don't know what it could have been.  The guy doing the test said that alot of people get anxious/nervous or are just really pumped up before they do the test and that can affect the heart rate.  I guess that could have been it...but what an annoyance!

I'm just worried now that this will affect my application.  My file is at the selection board as we speak and I was told that once I complete the physical they will just add it to my file.  I'm not worried about timing really, because I can see my doctor no problem.  I'm just worried that they will look at this and say: "This guy has blood pressures problems."  When I actually don't have any at all.

Has this happened to anyone else when they did the PT test?

 

[Jaxson]

Theres a reason they have limitations on your blood pressure, being 1 over, is still over and that is the point, however i do feel bad for you, a good way to reduce your blood pressure is a balanced and healthy diet, as well as a good work out routine although you already seem to have that down, being nervous put my pulse up and my blood pressure, i know that for a fact, but dont get discouraged just relax next time and im sure you will do fine.

A question i have to anyways, what is the "normal" blood pressure? 120 over 80?    I'm hoping to find out if my results were good (without talking to doctor) so if someone with some medical background could answer, these were my readings.

before test: 127 over 76
after test 140 over 77

 

[ReadyAyeReady]

Thanks for the reply.  I'm not upset at all.  I know the guy was doing his job.  It just sucks when you are 1 over.  I'm pretty sure it was because I was a little anxious about getting it done.  Whatever the case may be I'm sure my doc will clear me because he has never mentioned anything about my blood pressure in past tests.

I'm not sure what the avergae blood pressure is exactly, but this guide may help a bit:

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4450

 

[Jaxson]

Hey i actually have another question. Did the guy doing your test try to calm you down or get you to relax at all? i ask this because   the guy doing my test said the first time he took my blood pressure it was close to being to high, then he asked if i was nervous and i replied "yes, im really hoping to pass this and ive put alot of pressure on myself to do so" so we just started talking, i guess he had time to kill cause he talked for about 5 minutes while telling jokes and getting my to laugh quite a bit, he took my blood pressure again and he said it was perfectly fine since i had relaxed.   just thought id ask to see if your pt guy tried to get you to relax and took your readings again.


edited to add this chart:

Category          Systolic (mm Hg)    Diastolic (mm Hg)
Normal*            less than 120        and less than 80
Prehypertension 120-139                or 80-89
     
Hypertension   
Stage 1            140-159                or 90-99
Stage 2            160 or higher          or 100 or higher


*Unusually low readings should be evaluated for clinical significance


The higher (systolic) number represents the pressure while the heart contracts to pump blood to the body. 
The lower (diastolic) number represents the pressure when the heart relaxes between beats.
The systolic pressure is always stated first and the diastolic pressure second. For example: 118/76 (118 over 76); systolic = 118, diastolic = 76.
Blood pressure below 120 over 80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) is considered optimal for adults. A systolic pressure of 120 to 139 mmHg or a diastolic pressure of 80 to 89 mmHg is considered "prehypertension" and needs to be watched carefully. A blood pressure reading of 140 over 90 or higher is considered elevated (high).

 

[Dale Turner]

Dont worry about your first CF express test. Like the instructor said it was probably just nerves. I suggest that before you have your pulse and BP checked you either sit or lie down for a good 5-10 min. and when they call your name dont jump up and get all excited. ;D

FYI normal BP varies from person to person but the rule for a healthy young person is anywhere from 100-110 systolic to 120-140 max.(hence the reason you weren't allowed to complete the test)

Your first result should'nt affect your application at all.

Good luck next time.

 

[ReadyAyeReady]

Cheers for all the replies lads.

Jaxson, he tested me twice.  The first time he said it was a bit high.  So he took my height and weight and then sat me back down to do the bp test again.  Thats when it was 141, because I actually looked at the monitor screen thingy.  Then he said that he was not allowed to do the test until I got a clearance form from my physician.  Oh well.  I'm sure its no big deal.  When I see my doc I'll prob pass with flying colours.  He was just doing his job.

 

[ReadyAyeReady]

So I went to my doctor today to get him to check my BP.  122/60.  I guess I must have been pretty anxious during the physical test to score 141/80.  In any case, I'm good to go now.  PT test on friday!

 

[namgar]

Hello,

months ago I begun an application process with the army in hopes of becoming an infantryman or perhaps an armoured soldier. Medically I am fit except for my blood pressure: my average blood pressure is about 146/96, and this is after taking 3 pills a day. These problems stem from a slight kidney scar I got when I was 11. I have functionned perfectly normally since then, playing various sports and such. I easily passed the fitness evaluation.

Reading these forums has helped me realize that my chances of becoming of an infantryman with this "condition" are next to nil... Might I still be deemed worthy of a desk job, something along the lines of logistics perhaps?

Thanks.

 

[kincanucks]

The enrolment medical standards are the same for every occupation in the CF.  If you don't meet them for Infantry then you don't meet them for a 'desk job', whatever that is and you won't know for sure until you go through the medical processing.

 

[dgrayca]

Get yourself some documentation from your Nephrologist explaining the situation.  If your kidney is otherwise in good health, and your blood preasure is only raised due to the kidney you should be able to make a good case for passing the medical.  I am speaking from experience, so if you want more details, PM me.

 

[1feral1]

Mate, any BP over 140/90 is considered high. Mine is usually 130/80, and the MO still was barking at me last week, and I am 46 yrs old.

Many things influence BP, such as temperature, stress, diet, weight, etc. I would say until you can get it down, and keep it there, your chances aint the greatest for enrolement.

Good luck.

Wes

 

[Armymedic]

I could tell not to bother, save yourself the trouble by saying if you need pills to control BP now, it is unlikely you will be able to get in (nor stay in as that usually entails a G3 PCAT).

But if you are really interested in the CF, apply, there may be a job for you. This after all is the golden answer:

Whether or not a medical condition will prevent someone from joining the CF can only be determined by going through the medical processing portion of the application process.

 

[Castle]

i had high blood pressure too...went to a doctor..then to a specialist..then...No problem...just nervous so they let me test...even my second one was high..they just try to cover there butts.

 

[SoF]

I had a pretty high heart rate when I went in for the pt test because I was nervous, I don't remember my blood pressure.

 

[punkd]

I was the same, BP was high.. like 160/ something don't remember the actual results. But I had to get a med. referall (which was fine 120/60)
Don't know why I got so worked up over the test. Even when I went back the 2nd time for the retest it was high again (nervousness I think) It
wasn't below the 140 mark but because of my referall note he let me do it. Passed everything no problem, but didn't get a very good v02 test because my heart rate was up, non the less still a pass.

 

[geo]

funny thing about the express test.... if you do the shuttle run - they don't check your BP and your heart can go pitter patter till it goes bust BUT if you do the stairs.... at 140 it comes to a screeching halt.

 

[Alpha 31]

I recently attended my PT session with the Canadian Forces and was successful in my last stage of testing.  However what vexed me about my testing is that my heart rate and blood pressure according to the readings that the staff gave me were well above what is normal for me.  I question what the readings were do to the fact that I currently play hockey 2 times every week and I also do cardio work outs in my gym along with a very intense strength training program- I do 10 hours of Strength Training every week and approximately 3 hours of cardio ( includes hockey ).  I have been on the Cross country team with my college for 2 years from 2003-2005 and ran 8km races and NEVER had an issue with my heart rate. 
  The first test she administered was a blood pressure test that was reading my heart rate at levels that were alien to me.  My self test ( administering at this very moment ) clocks me in at 58 beats per minute ( or 9 beat per 10 seconds X 6 ).  I know that I am in above average physical condition that includes my heart and cardio vascular fitness.  The numbers that the tester arrived at I believe to be in error.

I did the step test to the final stage 3 and after each stage she indicated that I may continue because my heart rate had not yet exceeded the standard level for the test to be stopped. So I continued until the end of the test and she took my heart rate again.  The result was surprising -  170/70  which dropped down to 138/58 which allowed me to continue the testing.

Next was the hand grip test. My hands were very sweaty from the step test and my hands slipped from the device and I didn't get as good a score as I would have liked.  My right hand I believe I got 61 and my left I got 58 for a combined of approx. 119

Next was push ups.  Again, sweat was the problem. doing them on a cement floor is not beneficial to the desired results that I had for myself.  She stopped me at 28 because my hands slipped on the floor and I know that from the self test and my general exercising practices that I could continue to at least 45-55 at 45-55 is where my arms chest back give out and I cant move....at 28 I can easily keep going. 

Sit ups I got 25.  Sit ups are hit and miss with me.  I love to hate them.  I work hard at them but crunches are what I did the self test on and I can turn out a hefty number should I need to.

All in all, I felt rushed.  I know that I am capable of better, I prove it almost every day in the gym and on the track, I will just have to prove myself to them in training. 

Best Regards.

Will the readings on the physical chart affect my overall treatment in terms of my applications status for employment?  I am currently merit listed for INFANTRY and I am in excellent shape and I have a positive attitude going into this. look forward to reading your input.

Thanks.