From The Desk of Dr Robert C Slater BA, MSC, DC, DOT at Healing Hands Wellness Center, DOT NR#: 3723762400
Comprehensive DOT Includes Cardiovascular Assessment: DOT Total Cost: $45.00
DOT Cardiovascular Examination: If certified without risks, then for 2 years
Most common direct causes of CVD are: hypertension, atherosclerosis, which in turn are caused by lifestyle and behavioral factors mentioned in the HTN section
Begins with chest inspection (noting any surgical scars, pacemaker IAD or defibrillator); auscultate: (listening to irregular heart value sounds: thrills, murmurs,extra sounds or enlargement; noting blood pressure and pulse; noting additional red flag signs of cardiovascular dysfunction: peripheral edema, bruits, diaphoresis (excess sweating) or distended neck veins at the sides of the neck.
Myocardial Infarction Certification Criteria
Disqualification: *Resting angina or change in angina pattern within 3 months of examination: *Ischemic changes on resting ECG: *Intolerance to medication for cardiovascular intervention therapy
Monitoring and Testing: *Clearance from a CV specialists who understands the demands and functions of commercial driving: *Biennial ETT (every 2 years): Waiting Period: minimum of 2 months
Certification: Maximum 1 year: Is asymptomatic, tolerates medicine, has satisfactory exercise tolerance test, has a resting ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) greater than or equal to 40%, and has no electrocardiogram ischemic changes
Cardiovascular related syncope certification criteria:
Syncope (loss of consciousness) is a symptom of other diseases and not a Dx on its own: Causes: medication, cardiac disease or neurologic disease
Disqualify : *experiences syncope as condition of a disease process, regardless of the underlying condition and or treatment: *is at high risk for syncope or near syncope regardless of the underlying condition and or treatment
Maximum Certification : Maximum certification is 1 year: If:
*has been treated for symptomatic disease: *is asymptomatic: *tolerates medicine: *is at low risk for syncope or near syncope: *has clearance from an appropriate specialists (cardiologists or neurologists) who understand the functions and demands of commercial driving
Extraordinary Consideration: Stroke: Condition : Cerebellar or Brainstem:
Waiting period is 1 year: Maximum certification = 1 year: Required Specialists evaluation: yes, needs neurologists release every year, AND must not have any other disqualifying deficits
Stroke: Condition
Cortical or subcortical: Waiting period is 5 year: Maximum certification = 1 year
Required Specialists evaluation : yes, needs neurologists release: AND Must not have any other disqualifying deficits
If abnormal cardiovascular findings are present, additional cardiovascular testing may be requested and referred to the appropriate medical provider.
1-Echocardiogram: [an Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction greater than or equal to 40%], [no pulmonary hypertension].
2-Exercise Tolerance Test: [exercise to a workload greater than 6 METs..metabolic equivalents], [attain a heart rate greater than or equal to 85% of the predicted maximum – unless on beta-blockers], have a rise in systolic BP greater than 20mm Hg without angina], [have no significant ST segment depression]
Please contact us if you would like to arrange a Home or Office visit for your DOT Examination. We perform DOT physicals for drivers living in or passing through St. Paul and Minneapolis, as well as all surrounding suburbs.
Call 952-217-9587 or 651-699-3366 Today!