Imagine you are sitting in a doctor’s clinic. The nurse checks your blood pressure and suddenly the number on the machine comes up to 150/95. At the same time, when I go home, my blood pressure is 120/80. That means absolutely normal. Have you ever wondered why the blood pressure of a patient or a healthy person increases in front of the doctor? What is the real reason for this?
What is this problem actually?
Let us tell you that sudden increase in blood pressure in front of the doctor is not magic, but white coat hypertension. This means that the blood pressure rises at the sight of the doctor’s white coat. This problem has become so common these days that 1-2 out of every 5 people are struggling with it. New research shows that this is not only a matter of anxiety, but can also double the risk of heart disease.
How dangerous is this problem?
A 2024 study by the American Heart Association found that the risk of heart attack in people whose BP increases in front of the doctor is twice that of normal people. Researchers at Penn Medicine studied more than 60 thousand patients and said that if it is ignored, it can become a silent killer. According to ICMR’s 2024 report, more than 21 crore people are suffering from high BP and 20-30 percent of them are being given wrong medicines due to white coat hypertension.
Why does this problem occur?
It is clear from the name of White Coat Hypertension disease that there is fear of doctor’s white coat, injections, needles and disease. When we reach a clinic or hospital, our heart beats faster when we see the doctor’s coat. Because of this the blood pressure suddenly rises. This is not a new disease. It was identified in the 1980s, but by 2025, many researches have revealed the secrets behind it.
This thing came to light in a study conducted in Japan
A study was completed on 153 people in Ohasama, Japan during 2023. In this study which lasted for about four years, it was seen that the effect of this disease lasts for a long time and this problem occurs again and again. If your BP remains more than 140/90 in office, but is less than 130/80 in 24-hour monitoring, then it is white coat. This problem occurs more in women, elderly and stressed people.
These tips will be useful
Now the question arises that how can white coat hypertension be avoided? Let us also tell you its methods.
- Check BP at home 2 times in the morning and evening. If BP remains high in office for 3 consecutive days then get ABPM done.
- Take a deep breath when going to the doctor. Sit quietly for 5 minutes. Listen to music or do pranayam.
- Reduce salt in food. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Walk 30 minutes daily. Quit smoking and alcohol.
Also read: While buying sports shoes, keep these things in mind, otherwise you will suffer a big loss.
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