Question
I'm going in Tuesday to have by-pass surgery and to have a leaking valve patched. I have been told that I will be out of the truck for 30 days minnuim and will have to have a stress test before I can get back in the truck. Is that my employer CYA ing or is that a fact? What do you think Nurse Red?
Answer
Bee,
Having a stress test following this type of surgery is pretty commonplace for everyone, not just CMV drivers.
But, the regulations do state that your cardiologist MUST provide documentation to the effect that your stress test is negative prior to you being medically re-qualified to drive again.
You may also find that your company or the examining physician will require stress testing every two years.
There was a conference on Cardiac Health and the Commercial driver that set out some RECOMMENDATIONS to be followed for certifying drivers with cardiac problems. Some companies have adopted those RECOMMENDATIONS as regulations and are following them to the 'T'. UPS is one of these companies.
Those recommendations indicate that a driver with a cardiac history should have a stress test every 2 years REGARDLESS. And that the cardiologist should document the negative stress test in a specific manner. These same recommendations also call for drivers diagnosed with Diabetes to receive a ONE year card even if they are well controlled with oral medications. The recommendations go on to say that anyone testing positive for any amount of sugar in their urine to receive a 30 DAY card until 3 FASTING Blood sugars show normal results within that 30 days. All of this additional documentation and testing is at the expense of the driver as well as the onus of responsibility for getting it all done WHILE you are traveling across the nation.
Like I said, these are recommendations from this conference and not regulations. However some companies are using them as if they are carved in stone. And they have that right.
Check with your company to see what their policy is following the first negative stress testing so that you are better prepared for the future in order to keep your medical qualification intact.
Good luck to you and keep us posted on your recovery.
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Keeping you safe, healthy, and on the road.
Nurse Red
Visit us at www.Truck.net/abmsVisit us at
Answer
Thanks for the information and I will keep you updated. I just found it interesting that the O/O that had the same surgery done last summer, has not had the "required" stress test.
Answer
Just out of curiosity,
1. What did the conferees include as "cardiac problems"? Essential hypertension, questionable chest pains, S/P AMI??
2. Did they recomend a standard or imaging ST?
3. Isn't (or maybe a better choice would be can't) an elevated urine glucose reading possible in an otherwise normal individual after a high sugar meal (pancakes with lots of syrup and 3 cokes??).
4. Is there somewhere I could get an abstract or summary of this?
Answer
Just a note from someone who had by-pass surgery.
It is true you'll be able to go back to work in 30 days but if they open your chest as mine was expect 3 to 4 months of being out of work.
Your duties as a truck driver puts a lot of stress on the breast bone and that needs time to heal.
I was out almost 5 months due to a complication where the incision opened back up when I came home and was left to heal open packed.
Also go through the rehab.
BTW I had a 5 way bypass in 1996.
Stress test is just a small inconvience but well worth it.
Any question e-mail me and I'll try to answer them.
From one who's been there.
[This message has been edited by Matador (edited April 29, 2000).]Extruckdweller
Answer
Psycho,
I have a copy of the recommendations at my office. If you give me a call or e-mail me a fax number, I will be happy to forward a copy to you. You will be amazed at some of these recommendations, they would put 50% of the drivers out of commission OR make it almost financially impossible to meet them.
As for the question about sugar spilling into the urine after a high sugar meal, the general thinking on that subject is that a healthy endocrine system can handle a glucose overload without creating a spill into urine. It will raise a BLOOD sugar level temporarily, but should not create a high urine glucose count. That is why FASTING glucose and Glucose tolerance tests are performed.
E-mail me and I will forward those recommendations.
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Keeping you safe, healthy, and on the road.
Nurse Red
Visit us at www.Truck.net/abmsVisit us at