Doctor's office conundrum

[P82719]

Hello guys and gals.

I'm an applicant to usna for the class of 2026.
I have an issue with doctor's office blood pressure readings because I get stressed and concerned that my blood pressure will be high, and disqualify me from service, and that in it of itself causes my blood pressure to spike.

I've staked everything on the Navy...i.e put all my eggs into one basket, and the second the blood pressure cuff starts inflating at the doctor's office, my heart starts pounding and the blood pressure goes through the roof (because I know if it's high, I'm disqualified, and my journey ends there).


I check my blood pressure readings at home both manually and with machines and It's always low sometimes even lower than normal throughout the day.

I know the navy has strict medical standards to ensure people can be relied upon in combat. I'm physically fit, eat healthy, drink a lot of water and no where else does my blood pressure rise so high than when I'm sitting in that seat, waiting to hear bad news from the doctor, about my blood pressure reading.

Can dodmerb clinics clear me with ambulatory blood pressure machines (to confirm I have no job-impacting issues with bp)? It'll help if I'm alone in the room, and can press the button myself on my own time.

Will I really be stopped from serving my country because I want it so bad, and get stressed at the thought of not being able to?

 

[Anonymous121]

Hello guys and gals. I'm an applicant to usna for the class of 2026. I have an issue with doctor's office blood pressure readings because I get stressed and concerned that my blood pressure will be high, and disqualify me from service, and that in it of itself causes my blood pressure to spike. I've staked everything on the Navy...i.e put all my eggs into one basket, and the second the blood pressure cuff starts inflating at the doctor's office, my heart starts pounding and the blood pressure goes through the roof (because I know if it's high, I'm disqualified, and my journey ends there). I check my blood pressure readings at home both manually and with machines and It's always low sometimes even lower than normal throughout the day. I know the navy has strict medical standards to ensure people can be relied upon in combat. I'm physically fit, eat healthy, drink a lot of water and no where else does my blood pressure rise so high than when I'm sitting in that seat, waiting to hear bad news from the doctor, about my blood pressure reading. Can dodmerb clinics clear me with ambulatory blood pressure machines (to confirm I have no job-impacting issues with bp)? It'll help if I'm alone in the room, and can press the button myself on my own time. Will I really be stopped from serving my country because I want it so bad, and get stressed at the thought of not being able to?

This is an actual condition called "white coat syndrome." You certainly aren't alone in that. Typically on the civilian side, people check their blood pressure at home and keep a log of it before they are ever actually diagnosed with hypertension. Not sure how this translates over to DODMERB.

 

[MullenLE]

P82719 = If you’d like, you may send me an email: lawrence.e.mullen.civ@mail.mil; provide complete name and last 4 SSN; provide the text of your posting above to YOUR email. The subject line of the email should be “P82719- SAF = Doctor's office conundrum.“ Do NOT embed links in your email as I will not be able to view those.​