You could be suffering from white coat hypertension. This problem happens when blood pressure measurements at a doctor's office are greater than at other times, such as at home. It's nicknamed white coat hypertension because those who measure blood pressure in the clinic or hospitals sometimes wear white coats. It was originally considered that white coat hypertension was caused by the stress that doctor's appointments can induce. If blood pressure returned to normal following the appointment, the temporary elevated blood pressure was not regarded as an issue.

However, some medical professionals believe that white coat hypertension can be an issue. It could indicate an increased chance of having high blood pressure as a long-term problem. People with white coat hypertension may also be more likely to develop certain cardiovascular problems and organ damage than people with consistent, appropriate blood pressure. The same might be said for persons with disguised hypertension. That instance, their blood pressure is normal in the doctor's office, but it can soar in other contexts. Even brief rises in blood pressure are regarded to have the potential to become a long-term concern.

People with white coat hypertension have lower morbidity than patients with chronic hypertension, but higher morbidity than clinically normotensive individuals. All published trials on the implications of high blood pressure and the advantages of treatment, on the other hand, are based on one-time measurements in clinical settings rather than the generally lower readings acquired from ambulatory recordings.

The argument and competing opinions concentrate around whether or not it is possible to treat white coat hypertension, as there is currently no solid proof that a transient rise in blood pressure during office visits is harmful to health.

Indeed, several cross-sectional studies have found that "target-organ damage (as evidenced by left ventricular hypertrophy) is smaller in white-coat hypertensive patients than in sustained hypertension patients, even once differences in clinic pressure are taken into account." Many people assume that patients with "white coat" hypertension don't need antihypertensive medicine because it causes hypotension, but they should be cautious because individuals may show evidence of vascular abnormalities and eventually develop hypertension. Even patients with well-controlled hypertension based on home blood pressure monitoring may have increased results during office visits.

If you have white coat hypertension, speak with your doctor about monitoring your condition at home. Your doctor may instruct you to wear an ambulatory blood pressure monitor (ABPM) for up to 24 hours to monitor your blood pressure. This device measures blood pressure while active and during rest. It can assist in determining whether your high blood pressure requires treatment.

Knowing that your blood pressure may rise in the doctor's office may become a self-fulfilling prophecy for some. In other words, worrying about having a high blood pressure reading may generate just enough anxiety to raise your blood pressure.

Before you put on the blood pressure cuff, keep the following guidelines in mind for a normal reading. Zen is everything. Relax. If you're nervous or frightened when you go to have your blood pressure taken, ask the doctor or nurse to wait a few minutes so you can relax. Set the zen mood and change your location. People and office employees can pack the triage areas of doctor's offices at times. Request that you be moved to a quiet spot away from everyone else to obtain a more accurate measurement. Exercise stress management. Find a method that allows you to relax when you are anxious or agitated. Breathe deeply and slowly, for example. Try a few of these breaths before taking your blood pressure. Reciting a poem or verse in your head may also help you relax. Change the subject.

While having your blood pressure tested, talking can assist distract you from the exam and enhance your reading. Others, on the other hand, may find sitting silently without chatting to be more calming. Experiment with various ways to determine which one works best for you.