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Has anyone figured out a way to stop 'white coat syndrome' when going to the doctors?
I am overall very healthy and normally my blood pressure is fine but when I go to doctors for just a routine physical i get a bad case of white coat syndrome and my blood pressure goes sky high.
I wouldn't be so concerned about this but a few months from now I'll be going for a physical for a new job and it will require normal blood pressure readings.
Ask the person taking your pressure to remove the white coat!
Seriously, your blood pressure should be taken after you have been sitting quietly for 5 minutes. During that time, a little meditation on something soothing helps: petting your dog, a warm beach with the sound of surf. Bring your music and earphones! Close your eyes and pretend you are in your favorite place.
When the actual reading is taken, sit with your feet flat on the floor. The cuff should be at heart level. Three measurements about 5 minutes apart will usually give a good idea of what is going on.
If there is any question, you can have your pressure monitored over a 24 hour span. You just wear an electronic cuff that takes periodic readings for a day. Your pressure is expected to fluctuate. It will not be the same when you are stuck in traffic and running late as it will be when you are asleep.
white coat hypertension is caused by anxiety - worrying about white coat hypertension will only make the anxiety (and therefore the BP reading) even worse.
only real solution is to use an automatic BP monitor at home - and keep a record of multiple readings when you are calm, and havent been exterting or emotionally stressing yourself.
I have had White Coat Syndrome for as long as I can remember,as posted a daily log of BP readings using a good machine is a good idea.This should be presented to any doctor at each visit.
You and only you know how you feel including any doctor.JMHO
I've had this issue for as long as I can remember as well. I have always been upfront regarding it. They've taken my blood pressure more than once through an appointment and it goes down to a normal level by the end.
I do think the advise regarding taking readings at home and presenting them at the appointment is a good one.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I had this problem but after doing self-monitoring found that it actually was high and now am on medication. since then it's been normal at home but was still high due to the syndrome. After a few visits I was able to control it by not thinking about it, concentrating on pleasant, relaxing thoughts.
I have had this problem. First of all, I noticed a significant difference if I scheduled the appt early in the a.m. than later in the day. Try to get an appt after you first wake up. Worst mistake was when I scheduled one mid-day, I had to leave work to go to one. After an extremeley aggravating morning, my BP was very high of course. Later in the day I took it myself at the drugstore and it was fine... DANG JOB!
Mine is many times borderline, I explain to the doc what the deal is... and he tells me to go to the drugstore the next day or somewhere and take it myself. And call him with the results the next day. It is always within normal again.
I also have this. I do regularly monitor my BP at home , usually in the evening when I am on the couch watching TV and it tends to average around 125/78. Not great but certainly not high either. So I go to the doctor for a check up the other day and as usual, it was high at 150/80. It is never that high at home.
The thing I don't like at the doctor's office is the nurse doesn't even give me a chance to hardly sit down before she is slapping the cuff on me and taking my blood pressure. The doctor does seem convinced it is just white coat syndrome.
I also have this. I do regularly monitor my BP at home , usually in the evening when I am on the couch watching TV and it tends to average around 125/78. Not great but certainly not high either. So I go to the doctor for a check up the other day and as usual, it was high at 150/80. It is never that high at home.
The thing I don't like at the doctor's office is the nurse doesn't even give me a chance to hardly sit down before she is slapping the cuff on me and taking my blood pressure. The doctor does seem convinced it is just white coat syndrome.
I have started getting to office early to avoid this same problem. First I set in the car relaxing from the drive for 5-10 minutes before going in office, then I hope that by being early I get to relax and wait another 5-10 minutes in waiting room. Seems to work for me.
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Need "waiting" time
