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HYPERTENSION AND DRIVING

Some antihypertensive drugs, particularly reserpine and clonidine especially if taken in high dose or if the pressure has been brought down too abruptly, can slow down reactions and affect driving ability. That, however, is not an argument for letting hypertension go untreated, because the untreated patient may also be a driving risk. The untreated hypertensive faces other hazards which can be triggered by strain while driving: coronary patients can have attacks of angina pectoris, patients with cerebrovascular problems can suffer dizziness and fainting spells or be disabled by a sudden retinal hemorrhage. Also, kidney failure, cluster" headaches, the sensation of things dancing before one's eyes, and above all, diminished reactions, can seriously impair the driving ability of hypertensives.

Persons receiving medication can experience fatigue, dimished reactions or acute attacks of weakness especially in conjunction with even small quantities of tranquilizers or alcohol, or if a high pressure was brought down too rapidly and abruptly rather than slowly and gradually.

If the blood pressure was taken with the patient sitting or lying down but not when standing, a possible tendency toward a drop in blood pressure will not have been detected. Hazardous "orthostatic" reactions can also crop up after someone has been sitting for a long time, particularly older persons, either spontaneously or in the case of methyldopa and/or guanethidine treatment

Caution is also advised in case of diuretic-induced potassium loss, leading to a decrease in the serum potassium level.

If you are taking drugs, particularly if yours is a serious case of hypertension, be sure to check with your doctor whether it is advisable for you to drive.

If your doctor says it is, keep 8 rules in mind:

Don't take any pain killers, mood drugs, sleeping pills, or alcohol.

Don't change drugs or dosages on your own.

Take your blood pressure regularly and go for regular checkups.

Don't drive when starting out on or changing medication.

Avoid areas with low-oxygen levels (high altitudes, smoking in cars).

Avoid sudden physical exertion (changing tires, lifting heavy loads).

Don't drive long distances without frequent rest stops.

Stop driving immediately if you feel faint, tense, or if your concentration is slipping.

If you are under drug treatment for hypertension and drive remember that by ignoring this advice you can endanger not only yourself and your passengers but innocent bystanders as well.

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