White coat hypertension?

[hildaogden99]

I've always had blood pressure that was described as "nice & low", which seems to run in my family. However, over the years I've developed a bit of health anxiety and fear of hospitals/doctors. The last few times, it's been remarked that my blood pressure is a bit high "for me" and it was put down to being anxious and rushing to get to the appointment. Specifically, I had an NHS health check earlier this year and my blood pressure was high when first taken. It was then rechecked at the end of the appointment and it was back down to normal so I was sent on my way. Then, last week, I was in the chemist's picking up a prescription and was asked if they could take my blood pressure while I waited. I wasn't keen as I was in a rush, not long left on parking ticket, and had bad memories of my experience at the NHS health check. However, I reluctantly agreed and instantly found myself tensing up, heart racing. Of course it was sky high, even when they took it a second time. I was sent away with a 24 hour blood pressure monitor and was told blood pressure often increases with age (I'm in my 50s) so I needed monitoring. When I handed it back they said the results would be sent to my GP who would contact me if any issue. Not heard anything yet and would be surprised if I genuinely have high blood pressure, given that it's always been low and I work out regularly, eat quite healthily and am not overweight. However, I was very active while wearing the monitor (cleaned the house) and was also quite anxious about wearing it so it's possible it could come back high I guess!

Googling has bought up White Coat Hypertension so I'm wondering if I could have that? Anyone else?

I’ve got that. My doc takes it when I first get to the appointment and then at the end and it’s always significantly lower at the end when I have relaxed some. I too did a 24 hour monitor and all was fine. It just happens. My dad has it too and it’s really common.

I also have white coat syndrome, but I also do have high blood pressure and take medication. You can buy blood pressure machines quite cheaply, so if I were you I would get my own one and check both am and pm.

It’s a very real phenomenon, and somewhat self perpetuating as once you know that it might be an issue and cause hassle that stress reaction kicks in.

Home monitors are pretty affordable and easy to use and a good way of tracking for yourself and getting meaningful data rather than faff with the drama of ‘that’s high we need to recheck’ on repeat.

I now generally do a couple of home readings before any appointment where might be checked so I’ve got an up to date off medical premises one.

Buy your own monitor. Take reading and take the results with you. It gives a better picture of what's happening.

White coat syndrome sufferer here. I have my own monitor. I take readings morning, noon and evening for a week before a GP visit and take the results with me.

I have this. I watch YouTube videos of cute puppies while waiting to be seen. Sometimes it helps but recently not. I have a monitor at home and take pictures to show them.

I have this, its now marked on my file as I had alarmingly high numbers at the doctors but absolutely fine at home. Have done 24 hour monitoring and repeated monitoring over a week and my BP is fine, just shoots up in any medical settings as does my heart rate. I now warn anyone before they take heart rate or BP that it will be high but I do check it at home to make sure it is good.

My blood pressure at home after I've been sitting quietly for a few minutes is usually around 120/60. I went for blood tests recently at my new GP surgery. The nurse did my BP as I was there and it was 148/90 ! 2 days later at the dentist I had it done again as I'm having sedation for a procedure and it was 179/97 !!!

Thank you, I will consider getting a monitor. So strange I've developed this in later life. Having my BP checked never bothered me in the past.

Yes - mine shot through the roof when I went for dental treatment that required sedation. The dentist was reluctant to start treatment until it came down. Fortunately for me it must have come down enough after sitting there for a bit! I don't have high blood pressure at home, I have a BP monitor to check what it's doing. I don't think the dentist believed me when I said I don't have high BP!

I absolutely refuse to have my BP taken unless it is essential for a procedure as this always happens to me in any medical facility and it is so frustrating having to pull out my phone and show them the photos I take of my monitor at home, or my spreadsheet. They were utterly amazed that it was so high just before a hysterectomy and then a colonoscopy!!

When I'm at home just tapping on my laptop it's completely normal.

I can feel mine going up as I sit in the waiting room. By the time I go in to see the dentist my face is scarlet and BP through the roof! I asked the dental nurse if I could send them a video of me taking it at home but she just looked at me as if I was nuts!

It’s very real. I take tests at home am & pm for a few days before a planned appointment, it’s always fine.

I have this and it’s a real pain! I have a home monitor and my bp is always better at home. I have an app on my phone that my machine sends the results to , so I always have the evidence . I am on bp medication but my surgery is happy to use my results. My HCP tells me it’s not an uncommon condition!