Medical waiver for blood pressure on medication

by Caroline

Jan 2, 2011

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!

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    Caroline

    Wow.  I was looking for some encouragement and I sure didn't get it.  I am well aware of the "make a wish" reference and I am a nurse as well as a mother, with 30 years of experience in Critical Care and Emergency medicine so I both know about the risks of high blood pressure and value my son's health and life.  If his blood pressure is well maintained and he is physically trained, he can excel at PT.  I am not likely to advise him to turn his face to the wall and give up at the age of 23.  I hope that there is someone else out there who has something more constructive to say and I have ALREADY found references to the fact that medicated/controlled hypertension IS a potentially  waiverable condition, I just want to hear more facts about the process.  Perhaps you are merely what you consider a realist but your remarks do not reflect the spirit of "NavyForMoms.com" as I have perceived it to date and I am disappointed.
    10

    Jan 2, 2011

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      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!
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      Jan 2, 2011

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        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.... 

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        Jan 2, 2011