Comments on: What is white coat syndrome?

By: Stan Schurman

Stan Schurman — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 02:03:24 +0000

Contrary to Dunford-Slater’s doctor, my doctor encourages me to take home readings and believes they are more indicative of my true BP than the office readings.

I’m surprised that Andy’s doctor ordered so many tests. 140/90 is at the lower end of mild hypertension (or the upper end of pre-hypertension). The cusp of the two in other words. Best to determine a cause if at all possible I guess, but his doctor`s aversion to home monitoring sounds a bit strange. I believe that most doctors encourage it. Also, pharmacy BP monitors aren`t noted for their accuracy. People usually just walk in, sit down and take the reading with little or no rest.

By: sarah e

sarah e — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:14:24 +0000

Well, I am 23 years old and have never had a problem with high blood pressure or pulse. I even just had a baby, and they monitored my bp all the time. Times are hard, and I decided to start donating plasma for extra money. Before you are able to donate they check your bp and pulse first time no problem. Second time they said I was just barely too high to donate. Now after being turned away, when I walk in knowing my numbers are being tested I can feel my bp and pulse rising. Being concerned that I have high bp, I asked a friend who is a CNA to check my bp before I went in. Four times she checked it before I went in to donate and it was normal, and four times I got turned away! Is there anything that I can do to get over this?! I know I’m just freaking myself out now, but is there any meditating or matras to repeat to get me to just calm down! Anything?

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 13 May 2010 13:28:38 +0000

I think one of the things you need to think about is that if going to have blood pressure can raise your pressure (it does mine as well), then what else in your daily life can cause that rise? White Coat Syndrome is a real effect, but it may be that it is just showing the results of stress on your body. If you lead a stressful life, then it may not just be at times of blood pressure readings that your pressure is a problem.

By: Durnford-Slater

Durnford-Slater — Thu, 13 May 2010 13:03:03 +0000

My doctor does not believe in home monitoring as he does not believe that I give a true report. He is convinced that I have continuous hypertension and does not realize that I need to overcome my phobia of having my blood pressure checked by doing it regularly at home. I have been given calcium channel blockers which made my legs swell up alarmingly. I was then given a diurectic which led to my collapsing twice on holiday because of a sudden drop in blood pressure. The latest thing is that he wants me to try ace-inhibitors which can lead to those same problems and cause muscle cramps which I have already.. The one thing that has really helped is using Respirate. Incidentally I have given up all alcohol, salt, caffeine and fatty food. I also walk for about 60 mins every day and eat lots of fruit and vegetables. My parents died at 97 and 93 and did nothave heart problems.

What can I do apart from changing my doctor?