Does anybody else have white coat hypertension or white coat syndrome? I experience it

[sinkingfeeling]

at any doctor's office, with high blood pressure readings. I went to a hospital this morning for an out-patient procedure, an EGD, and my BP was off the charts (228/90). They told me it was too high to do the EGD and let me rest awhile and retested. Still too high. After around a half hour, it was finally down to 185 over something, so they performed the procedure. When I came out of sedation, it was 111/70.

I've always disliked doctors and avoided even hospital visits to my parents. I once passed out seeing an MRI machine. I threatened to jump out of my hospital window a few days after my cancer surgery in 2009 because I just couldn't stand being there. So, sending my BP skyward when seeing a doctor makes sense.

[Susan Calvin]

1. I don't have it as bad as that, but I do have it.

My blood pressure really responds to my stress level, I have found. I'm on meds for blood pressure, so I use my cuff frequently, and I've noticed that pattern.

[gab13by13]

2. I am 77 and had it all my life

except the last 3 years. I had a successful ablation for A-fib 5 years ago and maybe that is calming?

I love getting my BP checked now. last week at the dentists it was 116/64.

[Walleye]

3. Oh yes, always had it, but especially the last five years since the cancer diagnosis

[subterranean]

4. My wife does.

Her blood pressure always goes sky-high whenever she visits a doctor or dentist.

[kysrsoze]

5. I do. I regularly test at home. Easiest solution.

[Demobrat]

6. I have it. It's really frustrating.

My BP is perfectly fine at home, but once I walk into the doctor’s office my adrenaline kicks in and it skyrockets.

[Ocelot II]

7. Always.

I hate medical visits and procedures, even though I've always been fairly healthy and haven't had horrible experiences. I just get psyched out by the whole process, so my BP almost always reads high when I'm there.

[no_hypocrisy]

8. Many years, my father had a patient who was in his 90s.

The patient wouldn't open The Wall Street Journal until after his blood pressure was taken.

To some, it's anxiety about doctors and medical staff. To others, they know not to agitate themselves before their readings.

[KT2000]

9. Since I was 18 years old

so over my lifetime I have been given powerful BP meds that give me low BP. It was a recurring cycle until I was able to take it at home to prove to the doctors.

My friend who was a doctor in China says that there, they take the BP near the end of the appointment because they assume there are white coat issues.

[Joinfortmill]

10. I was diagnosed with it when I was about 55

I'm 75 now. Most docs just have me monitor my BP at home for a week or so before my visit, and bring in my readings for them to compare with what it is in the office. I'm not on BP meds. Had a bad experience when one doc prescribed it and my BP dropped- a lot. So far no problems except when in a health care situation.

[MichMan]

11. I did for many years

When I was younger, I ignored it because I rationalized that it really wasn't that high, but caused by white coat syndrome. It got to the point that just putting on the cuff made me convinced it was going to be high and of course I was right.

When I got in my mid 40's I decided high or not, I should probably get treatment for it and have been on medication for almost 20 years. Even now, when I first get into the doctors office and they check it, it is often a little higher than I like. Now, I have them put me on a testing device that does 5 in a row, by automatically inflating and deflating the cuff, while they leave the room. The results are always much better.

[Hela]

12. Always!

I learned some simple relaxation/meditation tricks I do before heading into the doctor's office. This helped keep my bp readings in the range of 140/90 in the office. It's usually 120/75 ish at home.

My bp was spiking in April when I saw my PCP and since my weight is way up (weigh up?) since last year, I agreed to try meds until I could get my act together enough to lose some weight. I'm on generic Hyzaar and that has helped. But it still spikes when somebody else takes my BP!

If you want to try it, here's some tips:
1. Try the free Calm app for a simple breathing exercise relaxing video. Look on YouTube or search podcasts for guided meditations if you want to get into it more deeply.
2. Get to the appointment early enough to sit in my car and meditate/relax for 10 minutes. If you find a favorite youtube video or podcast meditation, you can cue that up to listen to in your car.
3. Have relaxing music or something to read on my phone or tablet if they typically have a long wait. Use headphones!
4. Ask to have them do two bp readings - one before you see the doctor and one after. Do a breathing exercise with your eyes closed while they're taking the reading(s).

The new automated bp machines are incredibly painful for me - a lot of times it's the pain that's driving my bp up. I usually ask for a manual reading and that's much better for me.

Good luck!!

[maspaha]

13. Me! I got it!

It’s always a bit elevated in a medical setting, but depending on why i’m in that setting can send it soaring. I spent 9 days in hospital, split over 2 separate admission/discharge and the longer I was there and the more IVs i blew (eight was the final tally, nearly one a day) the higher my BP would go. I got pissed because pain & nausea weren’t being adequately controlled BUT they wanted to drug me for BP.

Anxiety elevates my BP and exercise, specifically walking, is how i deal with the anxiety. Theoretically I had “patio privileges”, meaning i could leave my room, go outside and walk the trails on property go anywhere inside the hospital at any time, BUT, it’s 110 degrees here in the desert during the day and night staff insisted i stay on IV fluids and O2 monitor even though I was off narcotics and drinking & eating normally. Third night I just took off my O2 monitor, grabbed the IV pole (who i’d named Chris) and headed outside. Magically, it brought down my BP, but I still had to fight to exercise (no pun intended) my privilege.

It’s so frustrating to know your own body, but get so much resistance from medical staff to care for your body! I keep a BP log at home to keep me off BP meds.

[question everything]

14. White Coat, Green garb, Blue top - each has the same effect

[IbogaProject]

15. I get it with my blood sugar

I'm a type 1 diabetic and my sugar spikes in any medical setting. I have to take extra insulin and go easier on carbs before my visits. But my blood pressure is ususlly decent at same time.

[Elessar Zappa]

16. Yes, I do.

I take my BP 3x daily and my average is 135/80. When they take it at the doc’s office, it’s usually like 150/90 or something like that.

[Maru Kitteh]

17. I'm a Registered Nurse with White Coat Syndrome, lol.

Haven't been able to shake it.