White Coat Syndrome

Some people find that their blood pressure is normal when measured at home, but rises slightly when they are seeing a doctor. This is known as the white coat syndrome.

A healthy blood pressure reading is 120/80 mm Hg. However, white coat syndrome could make ones blood pressure higher than that. While some attribute the higher blood pressure reading to anxiety, one study found that people with white coat hypertension had a increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart failure. Another study found that death from heart disease was strongly attributed to white coat syndrome.

Among patients with a measured high blood pressure in the doctor’s office, around 15-30 percent would be due to white coat syndrome. However, this does not mean that one should not take the high blood pressure reading seriously. Often times, it can be a sign of disease or illness.

https://www.healthline.com/health/white-coat-syndrome#hypertension

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/white-coat-hypertension/faq-20057792

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