What is white coat syndrome?
White coat syndrome is a condition in which your blood pressure is high at your healthcare provider’s office, but you get a normal reading at home. A normal blood pressure reading is less than 120 millimeters of mercury (top number) and less than 80 millimeters of mercury (bottom number).
White coat hypertension is a concern because every year, 5% of people with white coat syndrome get a hypertension diagnosis.
An accurate blood pressure reading tells you whether you need treatment or not. If your reading isn’t correct, you could be getting medicine you don’t need or medicine that’s too high of a dose. If your blood pressure reading is artificially high in the office, your provider may think your medicine isn’t working.
Is white coat syndrome real?
Yes, white coat syndrome is real. Researchers have done multiple studies about it and documented their findings.
Is white coat syndrome dangerous?
It can be. People who have white coat syndrome may have blood pressure that’s a little bit higher than those who don’t have the syndrome. According to studies, high-risk people older than 60 may also have twice the risk of heart issues compared to low-risk people with this syndrome.
High-risk means they already had a heart attack or have diabetes or other risk factors. It may be these risk factors, and not white coat hypertension, that increases their risk.
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Who gets white coat syndrome?
People who are more likely to have white coat syndrome include those who:
- Are older than 50.
- Were assigned female at birth.
- Were diagnosed recently with high blood pressure.
- Have obesity.
- Don’t use tobacco products.
How common is white coat hypertension?
White coat hypertension affects 15% to 30% of people who have high blood pressure. People without high blood pressure can have it as well.
FAQs
Our tips to help you relax before taking your blood pressure:
- Clear your mind. ...
- Skip on your morning coffee. ...
- Spend some time with your furry friends. ...
- Avoid salty foods. ...
- Make sure you go to the bathroom. ...
- Don't take your blood pressure right after exercise. ...
- Try not to drink before taking your blood pressure.
It's called white coat hypertension because people who measure blood pressure sometimes wear white coats. The stress of a health checkup may be the cause of white coat hypertension. It was once thought that if blood pressure goes up during a medical appointment but drops after, the change isn't a concern.
How to fix white coat syndrome? ›
How to overcome white coat syndrome
- Develop a good relationship with your healthcare provider so you can talk with them easily.
- If you don't feel comfortable with your provider, find a different one.
- Bring a list of questions so you're not anxious about forgetting to ask them.
Longitudinal Studies
| Definition of Blood Pressure Category in Outcome Studies | Cutoff for Office Blood Pressure, mm Hg | Cardiovascular Risk as Compared With Low-Risk Comparator Group* |
|---|
| White-coat hypertension | ≥140/90 | Equal2,24† |
| Masked hypertension | <140/90 | Higher2 |
| Sustained hypertension | ≥140/90 | Higher2 |
| Treated subjects | | |
7 more rowsSep 16, 2013
Anxiety doesn't cause long-term high blood pressure. But bouts of anxiety can trigger temporary rises in blood pressure. Temporary rises in blood pressure that happen often, such as every day, can damage the blood vessels, heart and kidneys. This is the same type of damage seen in people with long-term hypertension.
What should I do if my BP is 140-90? ›
If you have a BP of 140/90, that is considered high blood pressure and you should discuss this with your doctor. The first thing that is usually recommended for people with high blood pressure to do is lifestyle changes such as: Maintaining a healthy weight. Consuming a healthy balanced diet low in salt.
Does drinking water lower blood pressure? ›
Drinking water can help normalize blood pressure. If you are dehydrated, it can also help lower blood pressure. Drinking water is not a treatment for high blood pressure but it can help you sustain healthier blood pressure, whether you have hypertension or not.
What brings blood pressure down in minutes? ›
If your blood pressure is elevated and you want to see an immediate change, lie down and take deep breaths. This is how you lower your blood pressure within minutes, helping to slow your heart rate and decrease your blood pressure. When you feel stress, hormones are released that constrict your blood vessels.
How much does anxiety raise BP? ›
The resulting anxiety can elevate blood pressure 10 points or more.” Studies have shown that clinics rarely take two or more blood pressure readings, even though the ACC/AHA guidelines suggest that doing so could reduce the effects of WCH.
When not to take blood pressure? ›
There are clear, helpful directions for setting patients up with a home blood pressure monitor, including a recommendation to give people specific instructions on when not to check blood pressure (within 30 minutes of smoking, drinking coffee, or exercising) and how to take a measurement correctly (seated comfortably, ...
Stress-reducing activities can help lower blood pressure
- Adjust your schedule. If you have too much to do, look at your calendar and to-do lists. ...
- Breathe to relax. Taking deep, slow breaths can help you relax.
- Exercise regularly. ...
- Try yoga and meditation. ...
- Get enough sleep. ...
- Change how you see challenges.
Use a cuff that isn't too small for you. Most people can use a large adult cuff. Wrap the blood pressure measurement cuff around your upper arm (right above your elbow). You can use your left or right arm.
Does anxiety cause white coat hypertension? ›
What causes white coat syndrome? “It may be related to health anxiety, or the fear that you're going to find out something is wrong with you; the fear of having an elevated blood pressure reading; or an actual traumatic experience that you've had in a healthcare setting,” explains Hammond.
How high does BP go with white coat? ›
White coat hypertension is where your blood pressure readings are over 140/90mmHg in clinic – the cut-off for diagnosing high blood pressure – but are lower than 140/90mmHg at home.
Should I take blood pressure medication for white coat syndrome? ›
Patients with accurately diagnosed white-coat hypertension who do not have consistently high blood pressure at any other time may not need treatment with medications.
