This is my first time posting here, but I've been reading these boards on and off for about a year now. Becoming an Army aviator has been a dream of mine for so long now. I just completed my degree in Computer Science as promised to my parents before I joined the Military.
I feel like now is the right now to pursue this goal (despite my apprehensiveness regarding signing 8+ years to the military without so much as a guarantee of what airframe I receive)
I am 23, male, and in decent shape (work out 4+ times per week). However, I have had for the last 5 years or so high-normal blood pressure. my typical systolic range is usually between 131-156. Will this be an issue when it comes time to take the Flight Physical? What ranges are acceptable?
I think these results are partially due to my nervousness/excitement when they slap that thing on my arm. Are the examiners willing to take multiple readings or do I have but one chance?
I rarely drink, never smoke, and I eat very clean. I get plenty of exercise.
I don't want to start taking medication because A.) I don't think I need it.
B.) I imagine that would shoot my insurance costs way up.
and
C.)Prescribed medications for blood pressure will probably raise all kinds of red flags when it comes time to review or process my WOFT application.
I have the same problem man. The limit is 140. At my flight physical I was over that, and they let me sit down and rest and kept taking it over and over again until it went under 140. If I hadn't been able to get it under that I was told by the flight surgeon they would take it over the course of a few days somehow, but I didn't ask what was involved with that. Yeah, it sucks eh? I'm in great shape too. I can run a 6 minute-mile, but my blood pressure is high. Good luck man.
I've had a problem with blood pressure every time the army has taken it. (part of it is I get nervous as well) Every time though they have taken it and taken it and taken it until they get the numbers they want. I did have to do a three day thing one time and it was kind of a pain in the butt. As I had to go the base twice a day and get it taken three days in a row. I am a civilian putting in a woft packet, if I ever get my physical approved. All the people I have dealt with have been great about the blood pressure though.
Just a suggestion here but, I too was reading high blood pressure at my flight phys. After two attempts with the machine, he did it manually and it read perfect..Might want to give that a shot.
i know what your saying! i recently did my flight phys. for my WOFT packet and my blood pressure was crazy! I have really bad "white coat syndrome" When i take it myself im in the 120's. Anyway, the flight surgeon used my blood pressure from my meps phys. Im also a private pilot and my faa examiner had the same problem with me only he had some neat tricks up his sleeve to take my mind off it! I think its to many flight phys. horror stories im a personal trainer and am very fit! go figure
Well, I hate to take the new age approach, but maybe you should start practicing relaxation exercises. The ability to slow down, control your breathing, and relax a little bit will help you throughout your training, too. (Just ask the SERE-C psychologist.)
I took my Flight Phys with 2 other recruits, and all three of us had to be re-tested immediately after, with results about 10 lower. I'm starting to think it may just be those dang machines.
im a personal trainer and am very fit! go figure
