Medical waiver for blood pressure on medication

[Caroline]

Good morning!

Can anyone tell me of someone who successfully received a medical waiver to enlist while already on blood pressure medication? 

My oldest son has been accepted for the Navy music program but he failed the physical at MEPS due to high blood pressure.  It remained high enough after returning home that he is now on medication.  He is young at 23 and is otherwise healthy with normal weight. His ASVAB score was high and he has a college degree so he's a pretty good candidate otherwise.  I know that he needs to exercise more now, both for his blood pressure and in general (and certainly for boot camp readiness!), but I am concerned that he will remain on medication.  Clearly, millions of people lead healthy and active lives on blood pressure medication and I don't see people getting kicked OUT of the Navy if their pressure is treated and controlled.  Additionally, he is not ultimately going into a field that requires undue physical exertion.

Does anyone have any personal knowledge or experience to set our minds at ease or guide us to the proper channels?  He also does not have a very helpful or knowledgeable recruiter....

Thank you!

[BR549]

You never know he may very well be able to get a Waiver you never know until you try.  Good Luck to you and him and praying for both!

[Caroline]

Thank you for your thoughts and especially the prayers.  I am a strong advocate for both prayer and positive thinking!

[Craig]

Caroline - Here is the offical rule.  With as many people that want to get into the service now, the military can be very picky on who they accept.  The only drug that I know of that the military will accepts for medical conditions (ie not birth control) is for Thyroid conditions. 

The military doesn't really kick out many for having hypertension.  However, these military people usually developed the problems while in the military, which them makes them eligible for disability payments.   These sailors orginally and successfully passed when the entered the military service.  Think of the MEPS as an insurance company.  If you had an insurance company, would you want the risk of someone that doesn't meet the minimum qualifications? 

 

With that said, there is no reason why your son can't condition himself to get off these medicines.  Most high blood pressure problems go away when people incorporate running into their lifestyle.  Not all, but most....  

Just trying to give you a broad picture of why things happen.... 

[Caroline]

This is good information.  I think it's just frustrating to be full-on go and then stop and flounder.  He is working on that conditioning now and one can only hope . . .   I would love for him to be able to be off meds, regardless of his career so I hope it works!  Thank you for your help!