For many people, a routine trip to the doctor’s office can feel stressful. You may notice your blood pressure reading is higher at the clinic than it usually is at home. This common phenomenon affects approximately 13% of Americans and is known as white coat syndrome.
But is it more than just nerves?
As a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, Dr. Henock Saint-Jacques takes high blood pressure seriously, and that includes white coat syndrome.
Read on as our team of experts at Harlem Cardiology explains what white coat syndrome is, how it impacts your heart, and what we can do about it.
White coat syndrome (also known as “white coat hypertension”) happens when your blood pressure is elevated in a medical setting but normal at home or in other relaxed environments. The name comes from the white coats traditionally worn by healthcare professionals.
Stress triggers a temporary rise in blood pressure. For some, simply being in a medical office, anticipating test results, or recalling past experiences can increase stress hormones like adrenaline. This causes the heart to beat faster and blood vessels to tighten, which leads to a higher reading during your visit.
While white coat syndrome may seem harmless, it can sometimes be a warning sign. Repeated high readings due to stress or anxiety could increase your risk of developing long-term hypertension.
Research indicates that people with white coat syndrome are more likely to develop sustained hypertension and cardiovascular disease later on. In fact, it triples your risk of developing hypertension.
Not only does white coat syndrome put you at risk for cardiovascular disease, but it also doubles your risk of dying from it.
Assuming that high blood pressure only occurs at the doctor’s office can make it easy for you to overlook your numbers. However, if white coat syndrome morphs into sustained hypertension, then your arteries may become damaged without your even realizing it. Remember, high blood pressure is asymptomatic. It’s why it’s called the “silent killer.”
That’s why Dr. Saint-Jacques may recommend monitoring your blood pressure at home to get a more complete picture of your heart health.
Dr. Saint-Jacques takes a comprehensive approach to heart health — reviewing not just your blood pressure readings but also your lipid panel and full health history — to recommend the right lifestyle guidance, advanced testing, and treatment.
In addition to in-office blood pressure screening, Dr. Saint-Jacques may recommend:
You can use a validated monitor at home to help track readings in your everyday environment.
This is a portable device that records your blood pressure over 24 hours and shows how it changes during normal activities and sleep.
If you only experience elevated readings at the doctor, Dr. Saint-Jacques may not prescribe medication right away. Instead, he may recommend:
Use these tips for any appointment — medical or otherwise — that raises your blood pressure. If dental appointments, work meetings, or even everyday anxieties raise your blood pressure, these strategies can help you safely lower your blood pressure during stressful moments.
White coat syndrome is common, but it’s important not to ignore high blood pressure readings — even in a medical setting. At Harlem Cardiology, our team works with you to understand your numbers, ease your concerns, and protect your long-term heart health.
Call our East Harlem, New York City, office at 646-381-2181 or click here to schedule an evaluation.
