White coat syndrome: causes and treatment - K Health (2023)

FAQs

What can you do to stop white coat syndrome? ›

Similarly, patients with a condition called “masked hypertension” that is the reverse of white coat hypertension – normal blood pressure in their physician's office but high readings at home – have more cardiovascular events than patients with consistently normal blood pressures.

Anxiety. Whether it's the tightening of the arm-cuff or the fear of a potential diagnosis, the anxiety brought on by anticipation can be enough to raise your blood pressure. Those who have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety are more likely to suffer from White Coat Hypertension.

Salt or sodium

Salt, or specifically the sodium in salt, is a major contributor to high blood pressure and heart disease. This is because of how it affects fluid balance in the blood. Table salt is around 40 percent sodium. Some amount of salt is important for health, but it's easy to eat too much.

The most commonly used medications are Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) and calcium channel blockers. Diuretics and adrenergic blockers can also be helpful in controlling blood pressure.

PHILADELPHIA – White coat hypertension, a condition in which a patient's blood pressure readings are higher when taken at the doctor's office compared to other settings, was originally attributed to the anxiety patients might experience during medical appointments.

Usually, blood pressure starts to rise a few hours before a person wakes up. It continues to rise during the day, peaking in midday. Blood pressure typically drops in the late afternoon and evening. Blood pressure is usually lower at night while sleeping.

You could have white coat hypertension. This condition occurs when blood pressure readings at a health care provider's office are higher than they are in other settings, such as at home. It's called white coat hypertension because people who measure blood pressure sometimes wear white coats.

Still, you can make lifestyle changes to bring your blood pressure down. Something as simple as keeping yourself hydrated by drinking six to eight glasses of water every day improves blood pressure. Water makes up 73% of the human heart,¹ so no other liquid is better at controlling blood pressure.

Does white coat syndrome affect heart rate? ›

Compared with people whose blood pressure was normal both at the doctor's office and at home, people with untreated white-coat hypertension had a 36% higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and other heart-related events. They were also twice as likely to die from heart disease.

Bananas. These are rich in potassium, a nutrient shown to help lower blood pressure, says Laffin. One medium banana provides about 375 milligrams of potassium, about 11 percent of the recommended daily intake for a man, and 16 percent for a woman.

1. Citrus fruits. Citrus fruits, including grapefruit, oranges, and lemons, may have powerful blood-pressure-lowering effects. They're loaded with vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that may help keep your heart healthy by reducing heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure ( 4 ).

Drink Caffeine

Beverages like coffee and caffeinated tea cause an increase in heart rate and a temporary spike in blood pressure.

Foods high in potassium also can interfere with some medications for high blood pressure and heart failure. It certainly would take more than one banana to raise potassium levels to a dangerous level for the average person, Spees said.

Consuming drinks like tomato juice, beet juice, pomegranate juice, and skimmed milk as part of a balanced, healthy diet can help you manage high blood pressure.

Lemon drink contains traces of several minerals that may be beneficial in lowering blood pressure. Calcium and potassium both can lower blood pressure in those suffering from hypertension. A study suggests that lemon water can help bring the number to the normal range immediately.

Infused Water

Citrus, such as lemon and limes, has been shown to reduce blood pressure and has the added benefit of adding a little flavor to a boring glass of water.

Patients often are nervous about what their blood pressure will be when it's measured at their doctor's office, and that anxiety causes their blood pressure to go up. It's known as “white coat hypertension,” and it's particularly common among elderly patients.

Slow, deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system which decreases the heart rate and dilates blood vessels, reducing your overall blood pressure.

What is the blood pressure release trick? ›

Take a deep breath from your core, hold your breath for about two seconds, then slowly exhale. Pause for a few moments and repeat. Relax! Stress is a key contributor to high blood pressure, so do whatever you can to relax.

This is often attributed to the anxiety that surrounds doctors and hospital settings. Medications aren't a solution for white coat hypertension.

There is no cure for high blood pressure. But treatment can lower blood pressure that is too high. If it is mild, high blood pressure may sometimes be brought under control by making changes to a healthier lifestyle.

How long does it take for a glass of beetroot juice to lower blood pressure? Drinking beetroot juice can reduce blood pressure levels after an hour. After ingestion, hours later blood pressure will reach the lowest point and will continue to have an effect on the levels up to 24 hours after taking your beetroot juice.

Beetroot juice (BRJ) is rich in nitrate (NO₃) and has the potential to reduce blood pressure (BP). NO₃ is a precursor for the production of nitric oxide (NO) and increases its concentrations in the bloodstream, optimizing endothelial function (e.g., vasodilation) (1).

Beetroot juice is rich in nitrates, which might negatively interact with certain blood pressure-lowering medicines, leading to a severe drop in blood pressure.

If you feel nervous or very anxious around healthcare professionals, the term “white coat syndrome” might apply to you. While not an official diagnosis, it's a term often used to describe the rise in blood pressure that some people get in uncomfortable settings, like at a doctor's office.

Propranolol belongs to a group of medicines called beta blockers. It's used to treat heart problems, help with anxiety and prevent migraines. If you have a heart problem, you can take propranolol to: treat high blood pressure.

What is normal blood pressure for a 70 year old? ›

Normal blood pressure for most adults is defined as a systolic pressure of less than 120 and a diastolic pressure of less than 80.

The device should measure blood pressure on the upper arm, which produce a more reliable result than those that measure from the wrist.

Don't measure your blood pressure right after you wake up.

You can prepare for the day, but don't eat breakfast or take medications before measuring your blood pressure.

Studies show that nearly 1 in 5 people experience white-coat syndrome. While it usually isn't a cause for concern or treatment, it can be confused with actual, chronic hypertension (or high blood pressure), if not careful.

"If lifestyle changes alone don't work, people shouldn't be afraid to take medication to get their blood pressure to a normal range," Dr. Brayer says.

Some examples of aerobic exercise that can help lower blood pressure include walking, jogging, cycling, swimming or dancing. Another possibility is high-intensity interval training. This type of training involves alternating short bursts of intense activity with periods of lighter activity.

Walking lowers systolic blood pressure by 4.11 mm Hg (95% CI, 3.01 to 5.22 mm Hg). It lowers diastolic blood pressure by 1.79 mm Hg (95% CI, 1.07 to 2.51 mm Hg) and resting heart rate by 2.76 beats per minute (bpm; 95% CI, 0.95 to 4.57 bpm).

Definition. WCH describes an elevated clinic BP in the presence of normal out-of-office BP values. This BP phenotype is also referred to as white coat syndrome. The ESH suggest that patients with an office reading of at least 140/90 mmHg and a mean 24-h BP of less than 130/80 mmHg are deemed to have WCH.

What is the reverse of white coat syndrome? ›

The reverse of "white coat hypertension" (higher blood pressure readings at the doctor's office than outside the clinic setting), "masked hypertension" is normal blood pressure in the doctor's office but high readings outside of the office. Masked hypertension is easy to miss, and can occur during the day or night.

Berries: Strawberries and blueberries are rich in antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins. Research has linked anthocyanins to a reduction in blood pressure in people with hypertension. In more good news, berries are delicious!

Eggs are loaded with vitamins, minerals, good fats, and high-quality protein. An increased intake of protein has shown to be effective in controlling your blood pressure and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Dietary proteins such as eggs are known to have natural blood pressure-lowering properties.

Peanut butter is high in protein and healthy fats, which can also help reduce blood pressure levels.

Lemon drink contains traces of several minerals that may be beneficial in lowering blood pressure. Calcium and potassium both can lower blood pressure in those suffering from hypertension. A study suggests that lemon water can help bring the number to the normal range immediately.

Beet juice

A randomized pilot study from 2016 found that the juice of both raw and cooked beets improved blood pressure. But raw beet juice had a greater impact on blood pressure. Beets are rich in dietary nitrates, a compound known to have blood pressure-lowering effects.

Using apple cider vinegar is one method people with high blood pressure used to manage the condition. It has become a popular natural remedy for high blood pressure and other health purposes, including lowering bad cholesterol and weight management.

Beet juice is the best choice, as it can significantly lower blood pressure in about three hours. Consuming other beneficial drinks like tomato juice and pomegranate juice may not have immediate effects on blood pressure, but will work over a period of consistent use.

1. Bananas. These are rich in potassium, a nutrient shown to help lower blood pressure, says Laffin. One medium banana provides about 375 milligrams of potassium, about 11 percent of the recommended daily intake for a man, and 16 percent for a woman.

Will apple cider vinegar lower my blood pressure immediately? No. Apple cider vinegar is not proven to lower blood pressure at all. Rather, it may work in a roundabout way by potentially promoting weight loss, supporting lower cholesterol levels, and improving blood sugar control.

Does cinnamon lower blood pressure? ›

Cinnamon appears to help dilate and relax the blood vessels, which may help lower blood pressure.

Drinking more than 4 cups of coffee a day may increase your blood pressure. If you're a big fan of coffee, tea or other caffeine-rich drinks, such as cola and some energy drinks, consider cutting down.

How does a lack of sleep affect blood pressure? One reason a lack of sleep affects blood pressure is that sleep helps manage stress hormones like cortisol. If you don't sleep enough, your body can't properly regulate these hormones, which can lead to high blood pressure.

Since turmeric can lower blood pressure, it may have additive effects with antihypertensive drugs ( 10 ). Turmeric can aid digestion by increasing stomach acid levels, which may inhibit the effectiveness of antacids ( 10 ).

Easy fix: Three teaspoons per day of apple cider vinegar can lower your blood pressure significantly within a week. If the taste is too much, mix it with a little warm water or add it to your favorite beverage (as long as it's not a sugary soda).

However, there are many natural remedies like Apple Cider Vinegar for blocked arteries. Scientifically 90% of people get relief from high cholesterol in just 30-40 days after using this remedy.