Application Process for Medical Certification - Exam Techniques and Criteria for Qualification
Item 36. Heart

Medication:
The FAA will consider an Authorization for a Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate (Authorization) for most cardiac conditions. Applicants seeking further FAA consideration should be prepared to submit all past records and a report of a complete current cardiovascular evaluation in accordance with FAA specifications.

1. Medications acceptable to the FAA for treatment of hypertension in airmen include all Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved diuretics, alpha-adrenergic blocking agents, beta-adrenergic blocking agents, calcium channel blocking agents, angiotension converting enzyme (ACE inhibitors) agents, and direct vasodilators.
2. The following are not acceptable to the FAA:
   • Centrally acting agents (such as reserpine, guanethidine, guanadrel, guanabenz, and methyldopa).
   • The use of flecainide when there is evidence of left ventricular dysfunction or recent myocardial infarction.
   • The use of nitrates for the treatment of coronary artery disease or to modify hemodynamics.
3. The Examiner must defer issuance of a medical certificate to any applicant whose hypertension has not been evaluated, who uses unacceptable medications, whose medical status is unclear, whose hypertension is uncontrolled, who manifests significant adverse effects of medication, or whose certification has previously been specifically reserved to the FAA.