What is the basis of FMCSAs recommendations regarding high blood pressure?
FMCSA medical guidelines for hypertension are based on the Sixth Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 6 – 1997). The prior cardiovascular guidelines were based on an earlier JNC report. The medical standard (49 CFR 391.41 (b) (6) permits qualification of CMV drivers if the driver has no current clinical diagnosis of high blood pressure likely to interfere with his/her ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. FMCSA provides guidelines to assist the Medical Examiner in determining if a person is physically qualified to operate a motor vehicle.
