The Idea of White Coat Syndrome led to me having many mini strokes.

[Tugun]

"White coat syndrome, or white coat hypertension, is the term for when you get a high blood pressure reading in a doctor's office and a normal reading at home. The anxiety of being around doctors in white coats can make your blood pressure rise. Most people don't need treatment if their blood pressure is normal at home." Cleveland Clinic

• Systolic Blood Pressure (BP) increased over a few years from 110- 50 to 150-70

• Saw doctor in June 2023. Doctor said no need for medication. Keep an eye on it.

• BEST PRACTICE would have been to give me a 24 hour BP monitor and not dismiss me as having raised BP due to White Coat Syndrome.

• I now believe that every time I visited a doctor and my BP was approximately 150 – 60, they saw it as White Coat Syndrome.

• Each time I had to ask what it was. Each time they said it was fine.

• Even at the endocrinologist when it was 174 – 67, I had to ask what it was. She was not going to tell me or ask if I was aware of it.

• Had surgery in June 2024. Asked doctor who said BP was not a problem during surgery.

• Taste for coffee went overnight 23rd June 2024

• CT Scan 25th June 2024 showed evidence of old (older than 6 weeks) Chronic Ischaemic changes – other than the coffee taste no other outward symptoms.

• Doctor wanted me to monitor BP for a week before giving me blood pressure pills.

• After a few days, I rang and said I wanted to start straight away.

• Started BP medication 4th July 2024

• After a week on the medication, I monitored BP frequently over 48 hours to show doctor that BP was still too high and as data for me to check when and why the BP rose.

• Discovered I had peaks during the night and after activity. Systolic 170/180.

• Now realized that the funny feelings I had in my head were probably not that funny.

• Doctor said I was obsessive due to the 48 hour monitoring. Will not refer me to a specialist.

• Moved me to two types of BP medication. Increased this when I explained that my BP wasn’t going down. Systolic was still 170 or 180. Said he believed me – finally.

• Discovered doctor graduated in 2018 and is a registrar (not a fully qualified GP). The clinic had recently changed hands.

• Blood pressure now going down (early August). I have persuaded him to refer me for an MRI Brain Scan and a cardiologist – although I want to see a neurologist.

Beware of White Coast Syndrome mentality with doctors. Keep an eye on things yourself.

[Alberta56]

I sympathise. I too have problems with iffy blood pressure readings- not sure if it's genuine white coat syndrome or not, but your experience makes me feel I should keep an eye on my readings. Thanks for posting.

[peege]

Thanks for warning Tugun. I invested in a BP machine during covid & after my very slim, healthy & fit sister had a massive stroke on 6.9.20.

Very poor treatment from a hospital in Suffolk has resulted in her still being wheelchair bound, non weight bearing, paralysed left arm and hand. At some stage years ago someone during the hospital stay or the 8 weeks in a 'nursing' home broke her left shoulder. It was in her medical notes but her family were not made aware of it until a few months ago. No wonder she's been in such pain, it's impacted on getting her weight bearing. She & my bro in law has paid for physiotherapy twice weekly since we got her home in early Jan '21. He's her carer at 78 plus private carers 3 x daily. It's just a travesty. It was difficult to find out why it happened, the only reply my niece ever got was "whilst she was monitored there was an odd heart beat". The only medication she took was for thyroid. I have a sneaky suspicion that she might have been prescribed statins for high cholesterol but I know she 'didn't like taking drugs', (high cholesterol is hereditary in my family). It's a mystery.

Anyhow, I believe that a home BP machine is imperative, a good investment for self care in this day and age, mine is Omron the same brand they use in NHS, £50. Ive high BP on Ramipril. I live alone so no-one would find me, my family all live far away. It's so annoying to be labelled obsessive, it kind of stick in the brain.

I dont think its common knowledge that there are approx 6 hospitals in England (or uk I can't remember which) who do the stroke clot busting infusion 24/7. The majority only do it during the working day......it's useful for those of us at risk of stroke know where their nearest 24/7 is.

My sis is 27 miles from Addenbrookes, instead Suffolk sent her to London after 6 hours from stroke & setting off at 5.30pm. Bang in rush hour. For ie an acquaintance had a massive stroke a few miles from Bristol, she's mobile, does stairs, goes for long country walks.

Sorry for waffle (brain fog 🙄). Take care Tugun

[Turnipgirl in reply to peege]

Thing is slim people aren't exempt from things like strokes and high blood pressure and heart attacks.

I know plenty of people who by society's standards were supposedly fit and healthy but still got heart attacks!