White coat syndrome also called white coat hypertension is a phenomenon in which patients exhibit elevated blood pressure in a clinical setting such as a doctor's office only.
The blood pressure reading of the patients may be normal in the home but when they visit a hospital or doctor's office their blood pressure increases markedly which may give wrong diagnosis.
Studies suggest that 1 or 2 in 10 people may experience white-coat hypertension which is very high ratio.
The cause of the syndrome is unclear but the studies suggest that it can be developed due to anxiety, stress and nervousness of the patient.
In addition to hypertension White coat syndrome is characterized by palpitation, unusual sweating, shortness of breath and cold hands.
It is best to avoid taking unnecessary blood anti-hypertension medications as it may result in low blood pressure; ambulatory blood pressure monitor is a device that is worn for 24 h per day and it can take blood pressure every 30 minutes which may help in diagnosis of white coat hypertension.
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