What is white coat syndrome? Some people notice that their blood pressure is normal at home, but rises slightly when they are at the doctor's office. This is known as white coat syndrome or the white coat effect. The syndrome is named after doctors and medical personnel who sometimes wear white coats in a professional setting. A healthy blood pressure is about 120/80 mm Hg. Anything above this value is considered high blood pressure. White coat syndrome can make your blood pressure higher than usual, and the result is not always a little doctor-related anxiety. For some people, white coat syndrome can be a sign of more serious blood pressure conditions. White coat hypertension vs hypertension White coat hypertension is high blood pressure that occurs in a doctor's office or medical setting, but not elsewhere. Normal hypertension is high blood pressure that occurs in many scenarios, not just medical. Among those with high blood pressure at the doctor's office, 15 to 30 percentTrusted Source of them may actually have white coat hypertension. Experiencing the white coat effect does not mean you have more general hypertension. Similarly, some people with hypertension do not always experience high blood pressure at the doctor's office. The latter condition is called masked hypertension. It occurs when blood pressure is within normal limits at the doctor's office, but is higher in other conditions. Learn more about understanding blood pressure results. Cause It is not unusual for people to feel a certain amount of anxiety when visiting a doctor's office. This increased anxiety can raise blood pressure. White coat hypertension causes a temporary increase in blood pressure. While it may not seem serious if it occurs occasionally, some doctors believe that white coat hypertension can be a harbinger of true hypertension. One study found that people with white coat hypertension have an increased risk of developing it:

• stroke
• heart attack
• heart failure
• other cardiovascular diseases.
• Another studyTrusted Source found that death from heart disease was strongly associated with white coat hypertension.

For these reasons, reaching a diagnosis and deciding whether you need treatment for your elevated blood pressure is important. Other causes of hypertension The doctor in the white coat is not the only cause of occasional hypertension. Some people experience moments of elevated blood pressure due to other stressful factors, such as work, an emergency or not taking blood pressure medication for several days. Eating foods high in sodium or consuming lots of caffeine can also temporarily raise blood pressure. While blood pressure can return to normal once the cause is removed, an increase in blood pressure can be a cause for concern. A temporary rise in blood pressure, whether caused by a doctor or another cause, can put stress and damage on the heart. If this temporary rise in blood pressure occurs over a longer period of time, the damage can become more severe. Covering white coat syndrome Knowing that blood pressure can rise in a doctor's office can become a self-fulfilling prophecy for some. In other words, the fear that blood pressure will be high can cause anxiety that raises blood pressure. Before you put on your blood pressure cuff, keep in mind these tips to help you get a normal result: Relax If you feel anxious or worried when you sit down to take your blood pressure, ask your doctor or nurse to wait a bit so you can calm down. Pass to another room Sometimes the triage areas in doctors' offices are crowded with people and office staff. Ask if you can move to a quiet place away from others to get a more accurate measurement. Stress relief exercise Find a technique that helps you calm down when you are anxious or stressed. For example, breathe deeply and exhale slowly. Try taking a few such breaths before taking a blood pressure reading. Reciting a poem or verse in your mind can also help you relax. Change the conversation Talking during a blood pressure measurement can help distract from the test and improve the reading. Others, however, may find it more relaxing to sit in silence without talking. Try different methods to see which one works best for you.   [cool_tag_cloud on_single_display="local"]