Hypertension Worksheet

Checklist for AMEs Treating Pilots with Blood Pressure Problems

Apr 2014

Guidance is compiled and interpreted by professional pilots and physicians at FlightPhysical.com from the 2014 AME Guide, FAA and FDA web data (www.FAA.gov & www.FDA.gov), instructions specified in the Aeronautical Information Manual, Federal Air Surgeon Bulletins from 1999-2015, and 14 CFR Part 61 and Part 67 (the FARs).

The AME should review a current status report by the treating physician and any supporting documents to determine the applicant’s eligibility for certification. HOWEVER, the AME is not required to review a current status report from the treating physician IF the AME can otherwise determine that the applicant has had stable clinical blood pressure control on the current antihypertensive medication for at least 2 weeks, without symptoms from the hypertension or adverse medication side-effects, and no treatment changes are recommended. If the applicant meets ALL the acceptable certification criteria listed below, the Examiner can issue. Applicants for first- or second- class must provide this information annually; applicants for third-class must provide the information with each required exam (interval depends on age).


AME MUST NOTE in Item 60: AME Comments on History and Findings one of the following:

[ ] Airman meets certification criteria for hypertension.
  • Treating Physician Declares Stability
  • No Blood Pressure Symptoms
  • Medications are Acceptable
  • No Medication Side Effects

(Full Details Below)

[ ] Airman had a previous Special Issuance for this condition and now meets the regular issuance certification criteria for hypertension.
[ ] Airman does NOT meet certification criteria for hypertension. I (your AME) have deferred the exam.
  • (AME will then mail the supporting documents to FAA identifying which criteria were not met.)

Hypertension Checklist for Pilots with High Blood Pressure

Derived from FAA Hypertension Worksheet, 2014 AME Guide, page 82

 

AME MUST REVIEW

ACCEPTABLE CERTIFICATION CRITERIA

Treating physician finds the hypertension condition stable on current regimen and no changes recommended

[ ] Yes

Symptoms




 

[ ] None

(Note: Pilot must be asymptomatic with the elevated blood pressure, no headaches, neurological changes, visual problems or other hypertension-attributed symptoms are acceptable)

Blood pressure in office

[ ] Less than or equal to 155 systolic and 95 diastolic


(Although 155/95 is acceptable for certification, the airman should be referred to their primary provider for further management, if the blood pressure is above clinical practice standards)

Acceptable medication(s)

[ ] Combinations of up to 3 of the following are Allowed:

  • Alpha blockers
  • Beta-blockers
  • ACE inhibitors
  • calcium channel blockers
  • angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARBs)
  • Diuretics

NOT acceptable: Centrally acting antihypertensives

Side effects from medications

[ ] No

(Note: Pilot must already have an established regimen without medication side effects)



This page discussed Hypertension Worksheet


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