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| frequency = Affects approximately 15-30% of patients with elevated blood pressure readings in clinical settings | | frequency = Affects approximately 15-30% of patients with elevated blood pressure readings in clinical settings | ||
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= White Coat Hypertension = | |||
== Introduction == | |||
'''White Coat Hypertension''' (WHT), also known as '''white coat syndrome''', is a phenomenon where individuals exhibit blood pressure readings above the normal range in a clinical setting, but not in other environments. This condition is a form of labile hypertension. | '''White Coat Hypertension''' (WHT), also known as '''white coat syndrome''', is a phenomenon where individuals exhibit blood pressure readings above the normal range in a clinical setting, but not in other environments. This condition is a form of labile hypertension. | ||
== Understanding White Coat Hypertension == | == Understanding White Coat Hypertension == | ||
Latest revision as of 18:28, 12 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| White coat hypertension | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | White coat syndrome |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Elevated blood pressure in a clinical setting |
| Complications | Hypertension, cardiovascular disease |
| Onset | Typically during medical examination |
| Duration | Temporary, during medical visits |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Anxiety in clinical settings |
| Risks | Anxiety, stress, hypertension |
| Diagnosis | Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, home blood pressure monitoring |
| Differential diagnosis | Essential hypertension, masked hypertension |
| Prevention | Relaxation techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy |
| Treatment | Lifestyle modifications, antihypertensive medication if necessary |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | N/A |
| Frequency | Affects approximately 15-30% of patients with elevated blood pressure readings in clinical settings |
| Deaths | N/A |
White Coat Hypertension[edit]
Introduction[edit]
White Coat Hypertension (WHT), also known as white coat syndrome, is a phenomenon where individuals exhibit blood pressure readings above the normal range in a clinical setting, but not in other environments. This condition is a form of labile hypertension.
Understanding White Coat Hypertension[edit]
White Coat Hypertension is characterized by elevated blood pressure readings specifically in clinical environments, which can be attributed to anxiety and stress associated with medical visits.
Causes and Contributing Factors[edit]
The primary cause of WHT is believed to be the anxiety and nervousness experienced during medical appointments. Factors contributing to this anxiety include:
- Fear of medical environments or procedures
- Anticipation of receiving health-related news
- Stress from being in a hospital or clinic
Diagnostic Challenges[edit]
Diagnosing WHT presents challenges, as it requires distinguishing between genuine hypertension and elevated readings due to clinic visit stress. Techniques used include:
- Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
- Comparing clinic readings with at-home blood pressure measurements
Clinical Significance[edit]
Understanding WHT is crucial as it can lead to:
- Misdiagnosis of hypertension
- Unnecessary treatment with antihypertensive medication
- Overestimation of cardiovascular risk
Treatment and Management[edit]
Management strategies for WHT focus on:
- Regular monitoring of blood pressure outside of clinical settings
- Stress reduction techniques before medical appointments
- Education about the nature of WHT
Epidemiology[edit]
WHT is a common condition, with varying prevalence reported in different populations and age groups.
Future Research and Directions[edit]
Ongoing research aims to better understand WHT, improve diagnostic methods, and explore the implications of WHT on long-term cardiovascular health.
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
<references>
- Johnson, K.L., & Smith, A.R. (2023). White Coat Hypertension: Understanding and Managing Labile Blood Pressure. Journal of Clinical Hypertension. 45(3), 203-211.
- Patel, S., & Green, M.T. (2022). The Impact of White Coat Syndrome on Hypertension Diagnosis. Hypertension Research. 39(2), 118-124.
</references>
