What is white coat hypertension?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:"White coat syndrome" is the phrase used to describe temporary elevations in blood pressure experienced by some folks only when they visit their doctor. As soon as they see the white coat, their blood pressure goes up, whereas otherwise their blood pressure is usually in a perfectly normal range. This is a pretty dramatic demonstration of how anxiety and stress affect the body, mind, and emotions.
During your visit to your doctor you may not get high blood pressure, but maybe there are other ways in which anxiety interferes with your communication during your visit. Some people forget what they want to talk to the doctor about. Others become so hyper-focused on one issue that they lose sight of all other related issues. And then again, others get so caught up in small talk that, before you know it, they're on their way out the door without their questions answered."White coat syndrome" is the phrase used to describe temporary elevations in blood pressure experienced by some folks only when they visit their doctor. As soon as they see the white coat, their blood pressure goes up, whereas otherwise... More -
Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:Some people are told they have white coat hypertension. This means that the person’s blood pressure may be elevated at the doctor’s office or clinic but not at home or at other times. Measuring the blood pressure outside the doctor’s office can help discover this discrepancy and possibly eliminate unnecessary treatment. In addition, you can wear a simple blood pressure monitor that automatically measures the blood pressure day and night to obtain an accurate reading. It’s better to do try wearing a monitor and be aware of blood pressure discrepancies than to be in the dark when it comes to knowing your real risk for hypertension and the resulting serious problems.
Some people are told they have white coat hypertension. This means that the person’s blood pressure may be elevated at the doctor’s office or clinic but not at home or at other times. Measuring the blood pressure outside the... More -
Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:Up to one-fifth of individuals with hypertension will show accentuation in the doctor's office, or white coat hypertension. The level of risk of complications (including heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease) due to such episodic blood pressure elevation appears to lie in between people with totally normal blood pressure and those with sustained elevations. White coat hypertension often coexists with milder levels of sustained blood pressure elevation.Up to one-fifth of individuals with hypertension will show accentuation in the doctor's office, or white coat hypertension. The level of risk of complications (including heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease) due to such episodic blood... More -
SecondsCount.org answered:High blood pressure is typically defined as a reading of 140/90 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) on two or more visits to the doctor’s office. But in some patients, the doctor’s office reading may be higher than that person’s blood pressure as measured at home. This is referred to as white-coat hypertension. Research suggests that the temporary spike in blood pressure is a stress response in those patients.
If your physician thinks your elevated blood pressure may be white-coat hypertension, he or she may have you monitor your blood pressure on an ongoing basis at home and keep a log, or it may be suggested that you wear a monitor that can take periodic readings. Based on these readings gathered over time, your physician can recommend beginning medication (or adjusting current dosages) and appropriate lifestyle changes.
Some research studies have found that patients with white-coat hypertension are more likely than people with normal blood pressure to develop high blood pressure. If you have white-coat hypertension, you may still wish to speak with your physician about ways you can maintain a healthy blood pressure level over the coming years.
High blood pressure is typically defined as a reading of 140/90 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) on two or more visits to the doctor’s office. But in some patients, the doctor’s office reading may be higher than that person’s blood... More -
HealthyWomen answered:A small number of people experience "white coat hypertension," which is very elevated blood pressure when visiting their healthcare professional while blood pressure at home is normal. At home, you can check your blood pressure in a setting that's more comfortable for you to get a more accurate reading.A small number of people experience "white coat hypertension," which is very elevated blood pressure when visiting their healthcare professional while blood pressure at home is normal. At home, you can check your blood pressure in a setting that's... More
