Page 27 - March 18 TNT

Top (systolic)
Bottom (diastolic)
Classi cation
Below 120
and Below 80
Normal 80 and below 80
Between 120-139
or Between 80-89
Pre- hypertension
Between 140-159
or Between 90-99
Hypertension 1
160 or higher
100 or higher
Hypertension 2
the following, unsalted, need-to-know medicine.
The first number, systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats (contracts). The second number, diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure when your heart rests between beats. The maximum systolic pressure (the first, bigger number) for a first, second and third-class physical are all approximately 155. It’s an approximate number because the physician has some clinical discretion including checking it twice during the same visit. The recheck is to help with white-coat syndrome, BP cuff placement and to facilitate a perhaps more meticulous overall procedure and interpretation.
If a pilot with no known history of hypertension is found to have blood pressure consistently higher than 155/95, then further investigation is required. Initially, this should consist of recording the blood pressure twice a day (morning and evening) for three consecutive days. If at least four of these six readings are 155/95 or less and the pilot is otherwise qualified, then no further action is required, and the certificate can be issued.
What If
If the three-day blood pressure checks confirm the presence of hypertension, then treatment of some kind will be required for certification. Once a person is on a stable treatment plan and their blood pressure is adequately controlled without significant adverse effects, certification can be considered.
For an individual who has already reported the hypertension and received an initial clearance, the follow-up requirements are simple. All that’s required is a statement from the treating physician that the individual is in good health and is having no blood pressure-related problems. Some sample blood pressure readings should be included in the report. There are some things to know and do in order to avoid this “what if” scenario.
Worth His Salt
According to scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, a high-salt diet can lead to significant mental decline. Researchers fed mice 8 to 16 times their normal salt intake and observed a dramatic drop in blood flow to the cortex and hippocampus. After three months, the mice were suffering from cognitive decline and struggled to navigate a maze. They believe their findings likely apply to people as well.
of that other heart attack, stroke, dementia, impotence and death stuff that it can cause. And getting lost in a maze would be terrifying. Hypertension affectsthe heart, kidneys, eyes and brain. High blood pressure is a risk factor for kidney failure and atherosclerosis
Rocky Mountain Propellers Inc. Sixth Page
B/W Ad
www.rockyprop.com mailto:rockyprop@rockyprop.com
ASE, Inc.
Sixth Page
4/C www.rtcpilot.com/twinturbine
Other than losing
our medical, it’s easy to understand why we should
be concerned about sodium and high blood pressure: it’s all
March 2018 TWIN & TURBINE • 25