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Identified High Blood Pressure During Visa Medical Examination for Australia
Hello everyone,
Today, I had a medical examination for my Australian 186 visa application.
During the exam, the nurse recorded an unexpected reading of elevated blood pressure at 150/97, which shocked me since I’m only 30 years old and have no previous medical history of hypertension.
My results in my prior health check for the 482 visa were completely normal. Consequently, I didn’t indicate any hypertension history during the assessment. The physician gave me a referral for follow-up with my general practitioner (GP).
Once I got home, I decided to monitor my blood pressure with a home device, and I was relieved to find it normal at 137/84. I took multiple readings within an hour, and each was consistent. I believe my initial elevated blood pressure may have been a result of anxiety from the long drive and the medical exam. I would appreciate any advice regarding the next steps in this situation.
I have already made an appointment with my GP for further checks. My main concern is whether this brief episode of high blood pressure could jeopardize my visa application approval.
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1 Reply
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Hi Alan, welcome to our community 😊
It’s good that you’re proactively monitoring your blood pressure and following up with your GP. A single elevated reading during the visa medical exam, especially one likely caused by stress or “white coat syndrome,” is usually not a major issue.
The Department of Home Affairs assesses medical results based on whether an applicant has a condition that could pose significant costs to Australia’s healthcare system. Hypertension/high blood pressure, alone is not typically a ground for visa refusal unless it’s severe or linked to other medical complications like heart disease or kidney issues.
Since your home readings are normal, your GP can provide a letter confirming that your blood pressure is stable and that there’s no underlying health condition. If required, the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC) will review your case and may ask for additional tests before making a decision.
Keep calm and continue your GP follow-up. It’s unlikely to be a major concern, but ensuring your GP documents your normal readings will strengthen your case.
Let me know if you have any further questions!
All the best
Mark
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