White coat: unanswered questions - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

bultun · 05-07-2004, 05:52 AM

Hi,
I am 37 M, and have primary hypertension. I am on 25 mg atenolol. I have a mercury bp instrument at home, and my readings at home almost never exceed 120/80. It is usually aroung 110/70. However, at doctor's office, it is nowadays 140-85, 130-90 etc. I can't explain this because while I do feel mildly tense, I don't think it can have such a significant effect. It is not as if my heart starts racing. I have the following questions to ask:
1. What is the extent of the white coat effect? Can it be 30 on the systolic and 15-20 on the diastolic? Or is it more like 5-10 points?

2. Those of you who have white coat hypertension, do you feel very tense and does your pulse go up when you see the doctor? I think the tension and anxiety at doctor's office, if present, should translate to increased heart rate also. Does that happen to you? or can white coat effect be present sometimes without ourselves being very conscious about it?
I need to have an idea of the above. Otherwise I will never be sure whether I make some errors in taking bp at home or is it due to real white coat effect.
best,

en08 · 05-07-2004, 11:25 AM

My blood pressure is up at the doctor's even if I feel relaxed.

When I calibrated my monitor against my daughter in law's(a doctor) they were very close. However my bp was 147/99. about 10 mins later in another room it was 127/84 so even worrying about the accuracy of the monitor was enough to elevate my bp!

Good luck

En

zuzu8 · 05-07-2004, 11:59 AM

Sounds like classic white coat.

I also have primary hypertension, well controlled on meds. I have the newest self-inflate automatic digital OMRON home monitor and my home readings are consistantly at or below 120/70 averaging about 113/60's.
At doc's office even when I do NOT feel overtly anxious or tense, I always get higher readings...sometimes up to 138/88.

The best way to know if you are taking your BP properly at home or if the instrument is accurate is to take it with you to the doctor's next visit...Check it there against doc's.

zuzu xxx