About 5 years ago I weighed 220 pounds and drank ALOT of caffine. I was a fat gamer nerd who never exercised. So naturally, I developed high blood pressure with occasional heart palpitations. I went to the doctors and they gave me this medicine called 'toprol xl' to control my blood pressure (which was an average of about 135 - 140). They also ran an EKG on me, which was normal. I took the medicine for about 5 months while I worked on losing the weight.

That heart palpitation business scared me so I got my life in order. I started exercising, eating less, and stopped drinking caffine so much. It worked, my blood pressure went to normal and the palpitations stopped. I lost the weight and stopped taking the medicine.

This was 4 years ago (I'm currently 23), I currently weight 150 and am somewhat active. Anyways, my question is, will this stop me from joining? Will they send me away at meps for taking a heart medication once upon a time? I was on the lowest dose possible and was only on for about 5 months. I've been medicine free for 4 years and have a normal blood pressure and weight.


I've heard they have waivers for this sort of thing. I asked my recruiter and she does'nt know what to think. She said it could be good or bad. But, I'm afraid if I lie and neglect to tell them this info at meps they might find out later somehow and discharge me or something.

DON'T LIE. You want to be able to be honost with your Army health care provider if something comes up again. If the recruiter tells you not to disclose the info it is only to make sure you get in - for her numbers. Just make sure you bring all of your medical records on the subject.

i was in a similar situation when i enlisted. I had lots of pre-existing medical conditions that my recruiter tried to have me cover up. Instead, as noted above, i was honest and brought documentation of everything. fortunately none of the problems where as big a deal as we had thought and now i am proudly serving the great USA. Besides which the Army is desperate for soldiers right now and willing to waive about anything to get you in ranks.

I've recently joined (in December) and I had to get a signed slip along with every record possible for a surgery I had two years ago from my doctor. The MEPS station I went to here in Louisiana is one of the most difficult to get through. The doctors up there fail everyone for anything and everything possible just because they can. I had to write a letter myself stating what I had gone through and that I was completely ok and sign it. Anyway, they may put you through a lot of bull, but if your recruiter is really willing to get their "number" she/he will jump through hoops (like mine did) at MEPS to get everything straight and get your waiver. I didn't have to lift a finger for my records, he took care of it personally. You may be delayed a few days on swearing in after your physical, but you should get it, I did. Good luck!

I know this is an old post, but beast, if you lie about this on your trip to MEPS and you get in and the army finds out later, you can be dishonorably discharged from the service because you would have violated Article 83, Fraudulent enlistment, appointment, or seperation, and Article 84, Unlawful enlistment, appointment, or seperation, of the UCMJ. (The army's law)