Patrick asked:
I am on high blood pressure medication and I am wondering can I still become an airline pilot if my blood pressure is under control?
I am on high blood pressure medication and I am wondering can I still become an airline pilot if my blood pressure is under control?
Depends how bad it is, get a test done before you spend ridiculous amounts of money on lessons
It would depend on the medication. Best way to be sure is go to virtualflightsurgeon.com or get a list of AME’s from the local airport and ask the question. Failing that, you can also call the FAA’s Regional Flight Surgeon, and depending on the Region, they should answer the question.
Yes, you can have high blood pressure, within certain limits, as long as it is under control with exercise, diet or some approved medications. You need to do some research on this BEFORE you talk to an AME, because once the condition is reported to an AME. then your options are limited.
the condition in its self is not disqualifying.
Centrally acting agents such as Guanethidine, Guanadrel, Guanabenz, Methyldopa, and Reserpine are not acceptable to the FAA.
The following medications are FAA approved on a case by case basis:
Alpha Blockers / Inhibitors
* Cardura (Doxazosin)
* Catapres (Clonidine)
* Dibenzyline (Phenoxybenzamine)
* Hytrin (Terazosin)
* Micardis (Telmisartan)
* Minipress, Minizide (Prazosin)
Beta Blockers
* Blocadren, Timolide (Timolol)
* Cartrol (Carteolol)
* Cibenzyline (Phenoxybenzamine)
* Coreg (Carvedilol)
* Corgard, Corzide (Nadolol)
* Inderal, Inderide, Innopran (Propranolol)
* Kerlone (Betaxolol)
* Levatol (Penbutolol)
* Lopressor, Toprol (Metoprolol)
* Normodyne, Trandate (Labetalol)
* Sectral (Acebutolol)
* Tenormin, Tenoretic (Atenolol)
* Visken (Pindolol)
* Zebeta, Ziac (Bisoprolol)
Calcium Channel Blockers
* Adalat, Procardia (Nifedipine)
* Caduet (Amlodipine Besylate + Atorvastatin Calcium)
* Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac (Diltiazem)
* Cardene (Nicardipine)
* Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Veralan, Tarka (Verapamil)
* DynaCirc (Isradipine)
* Norvasc, Lotrel (Amlodipine)
* Plendil, Lexxel (Felodipine)
* Posicor (Mibefradil)
* Sular (Nisoldipine)
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
* Aceon (Perindopril Erbumine)
* Accupril (Quinapril)
* Altace (Ramipril)
* Capoten, Capozide (Captopril)
* Lotensin (Benazepril)
* Mavik (Trandolapril)
* Monopril (Fosinopril)
* Prinivil, Prinzide, Zestril, Zestoretic (Lisinopril)
* Univasc, Unitrec (Moexipril)
* Vasotec, Vaseretic (Enalapril)
Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists
* Atacand (Candesartan)
* Avapro, Avalide (Irbesartan)
* Benicar (Olmesartan Medoxomil)
* Benicar HCT (Olmesartan Medoxomil + Hydrochlorothiazide)
* Cozaar, Hyzaar (Losartan)
* Diovan (Valsartan)
* Micardis (Telmisartan)
Diuretics
* Aldactone, Aldactazide (Spironolactone)
* Bumex (Bumetanide)
* Camadex, Demadex (Torsemide)
* Diuril, Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Oretic, Enduron (Thiazides)
* Dyazide, Maxzide, Moduretic (Combinations)
* Dyrenium (Triamterene)
* Lasix (Furosemide)
* Lozol (Indapamide)
* Mykrox (Metolazone)
* Zaroxolyn, Mykrox (Metolazone)