Are the cardio guidelines for high blood pressure a part of the regulations?

The medical standard regarding blood pressure (49 CFR 391.41(b)(6)) states that a person must have “…no current clinical diagnosis of high blood pressure likely to interfere with his/her ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely.” The standard must be followed.

The Cardiovascular Advisory Panel Guidelines for the Medical Examination of Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers are recommendations that the medical examiner should follow. While not law, the guidelines are intended as standards of practice for medical examiners. Although the medical examiner is responsible for determining if the commercial driver is medically qualified under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, the guidelines issued by FMCSA are based on the medical literature.