Blood pressure and military aviation?

Question

Does anyone know the blood pressure requirements to be a fighter pilot? I read them somewhere a long time ago but I cannot find the website again. My bp is 145/68 (AKA isolated systolic hypertension). My doc says I'm perfectly healthy. I have an enlarged heart from years of cycling.

Am I "healthy" enough to fly? Is this waiverable? Would this be an advantage in the high-G environment?

Answer 1

I cannot find which website you referred but what I found an interesting study:

Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured at entry and after 12-15 years in 112 fighter pilots and compared to 112 transport and helicopter pilots. The pilots were 20-24 years old on entry into the study. Mean SBP +/- 1 S.D. on entry was 122 +/- 12 mm Hg in fighter pilots and 124 +/- 12 mm Hg in transport and helicopter pilots. After 12-15 years follow-up the mean SBP was 118 +/- 12 mm Hg in both groups.

So my understanding is that upper limit should be around 120 to get absorbed as a fighter pilot, and 145 may not be acceptable, however this is my guess...!

Answer 2

And I wouldn't use "enlarged" heart, you have an athlete's heart which more muscled from years of excersize.  I'm not sure on the entry requirements either, but you should be able to contact the Chief of Flight Medicine at a local air base and ask.