Google article white coat syndrome wh... - British Heart Fou...

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Google article white coat syndrome what do these people write these articles

42 Replies

They state peaples blood pressure goes up when people see doctors white coat off course it will it usually means a needle or there attending the surgurey with an aliment wish these journalists would stop dramatising this as a result to cause serious health issues scare the shit out people as humans are usually anxious going to doctors dentist get a grip trying genarate a news story

42 Replies
bantam12 profile image
bantam12

White Coat Syndrome isn't a new label, it's been known about for years, trouble is tests and operations are cancelled because of it, I was due for hand surgery and couldn't have it done until I was on BP tablets to get it lower, stupid because I didn't need them day to day.

jimmyq profile image
jimmyq

I have White Coat Syndrome but I put it down to the fact that one is supposed to rest and be quiet before taking the BP. One has traveled to the surgery and the doctor has got you talking just before taking the blood pressure. It is bound to go up.

bantam12 profile image
bantam12 in reply tojimmyq

Plus if it's previously been high that causes more anxiety that it will be again and bingo it is, vicious circle !

jimmyq profile image
jimmyq in reply tobantam12

Yep!

I told my Cardiologist I had been Googling symptoms when I last saw him. His response - 'That is one thing people should never do'. Makes Patients far worse and their Jobs much more difficult. I don't do it anymore. If anything will give you High Blood Pressure etc. etc. Googling will :(

bantam12 profile image
bantam12 in reply to

Crikey Dr Google is the only way sometimes, doubt I would be here now if I hadn't researched and pushed for further action !! and I was right !!

in reply tobantam12

Glad it has helped you. It doesn't with me. We're all different.

Nomorechocolate23 profile image
Nomorechocolate23 in reply to

I went to see a surgeon and he was googling about my illness. He then told me things that sounded familiar to me. I asked him if I could look at his computer and it was the same site I had used . I must admit I did lose confidence in him. But it was funny! My friend says her GP googles sometimes too!

bantam12 profile image
bantam12

I like NCBI PubMed medical research papers.

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day in reply tobantam12

Just so - I do consult 'Dr Google' but I'm very careful about what I click on. I tend to choose things from WebMed, NCBI PubMed, the Mayo Clinic, Harvard Medical School, and NHS sites for what I consider credible information.

Nic25 profile image
Nic25

It does exist Len, as I've had it with my BP being raised if/when I go and see the doctor. Whether that's because I've been anxious about it (and just anxious about whether my BP will be raised making it a bit of vicious cycle or because of the exertion of travelling to the hospital, or a combination, who knows? But it is a medically recognised condition rather than journalists "dramatising" or ambulance chasing or whatever. I am a journalist and simply try my hardest to use this forum positively to help people from my own experience of AVR and open-heart surgery - you included as you know - so, while I know you didn't mean anything by it, to be side-swiped in this way is upsetting and I don't think hugely constructive for those of us who do experience this. I appreciate journalists are probably on a par in most people's minds with estate agents and politicians but please don't tar us all with the same brush. There, rant over...

in reply toNic25

Apologies I think it's the way I'm feeling as you know just do without it at the moment again only comment thanks make sure brains in gear next comment lol

Nic25 profile image
Nic25 in reply to

No worries Len! And apology very much accepted. Stress/anxiety can do weird things to the best of us. Stay strong for next week. Nic x

in reply toNic25

Nic sorry if I upset you there's no way offence was meant I comment made under the wrong circumstances and as I said been a bit under par in the last few weeks

Nic25 profile image
Nic25 in reply to

I know Len and not upset, and certainly not at you - I've been a journalist for 30 years and so believe me have heard worse! But that also means I occasionally try and fight my corner. Mind you it often feels like a losing battle given some of the ridiculousness and rubbish some of my so-called "colleagues" write or say...

in reply toNic25

Thanks nic you been realy informative in all aspects and questions I've asked off you sterling bloke as I said I make sure the brains engaged with the next comment and it won't be one that I have limited knowledge on how's that my friend

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

People with White Coat Syndrome should really be checked with a 24 hour BP monitor. According to my former GP (now retired) many people who exhibit this show high readings when driving, when put under pressure at work, etc. Depending on the results lifestyle changes with relaxation techniques might be appropriate and if significantly raised medication prescribed.

Nic25 profile image
Nic25 in reply toMichaelJH

That's coincidentally precisely what my cardiologist did Michael. No idea what the results are/were mind, which I'm hoping is a good thing! Nic x

Moho01 profile image
Moho01 in reply toMichaelJH

My husband has had 3 monitors for 3 different doctors at the same surgery. They all came back OK.

I have always had it , also if I stand up while doing blood it drops.

Handel profile image
Handel

I can see what you're saying Len.

Hubby, who rarely went to the docs (this is the quad bypass hubby!), suffers with white coat syndrome, as do I.

His BP was so alarmingly high that cardio rehab refused to have him exercising simply because his BP was high. He was never allowed back!!!

He had a 24 hour monitor which showed his BP was excellent throughout the day and night.

All the very best to you xxxx

jimmyq profile image
jimmyq in reply toHandel

Round here you can get gym membership on prescription, the mortality rate is so high. I got got a script because of high BP and went to the gym with it. They took my BP and said "You can't come in here with BP like that!" ;-D

I do a lot of walking, Shibashi every week and I am relearning Tai Chi.

Handel profile image
Handel in reply tojimmyq

I guess rehab gyms are worried they might cause heart attacks/strokes if they allow people on the treadmills with high BP!!

We've just managed ourselves to be honest with daily long fast walks, our exercise bike and road bikes.

Tai chi sounds interesting. We'll look into that. xxx

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star in reply tojimmyq

Here, if you are diabetic they will not let you exercise if your BG is high. It's a balancing act as it drops during the session and they panic if you go hypo. Happy Dayz..

cathu77 profile image
cathu77

hi Len

I have it, and my gp put me on medication Ramipil, which could be the cause of my screaming 24/7 tinnitus,, I went to Emergency the other night after I found out the side effects. He took me off it and said for me to try SERC in a week if the tinnitus doesn;t go away. I SURE HOPE IT DOES! Have you got White Coat Syndrome too?

Fazerboy profile image
Fazerboy

I have White Coat Syndrome. My BP is usually about 135/85 (I am 63) but if I go to a doctors it is about 190/110. I'm not on any medication. I've taken readings twice a day for a month at home for my doc and it showed the lower figures. This is on my GP records. Whenever I go to a docs or similar and they take my bp I have to get them to refer to the note about my own monthly average. I've no idea why it is higher in the docs because I don't seem concerned.

Jack2019 profile image
Jack2019 in reply toFazerboy

just to be very confident with your readings at home, my doc. asked me to bring along my home monitor to an appointment just to see if your home machine is giving a reading fairly close to his reading.

I only have to see the doctors building never mind sit and wait twenty minutes after my allotted appointment time and I feel my blood pressure rising. A 24 hour reading told a completely different story.

in reply to

Me too. Got an Appointment at 5.15pm today. By the time I get there my BP will be through the roof. Always is!!

in reply to

Did it go up?

in reply to

Aww, thanks for asking. It did yeah but not that bad yesterday. He asked if I was taking the Tablets. I said yes Doctor, it's most probably because I had to come and see you. He did laugh mind so Happy Days!! 😊😊

in reply to

😊

HectorsDad profile image
HectorsDad

It seems that I have WCS too- not unexpected as I had serious haematophobia when young. However, for years my blood pressure was around a healthy 125 - 130 (rarely remember the lower number). It now turns out that my natural BP is pretty low, and the WCS was raising it to normal.

Now post HA, with MVA, and on every drug you can think of, all of which lower BP - it’s a problem🥴

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day in reply toHectorsDad

I have the same problem - natural low BP that does elevate owing to WCS which I then have to remind the medic of when he/she says 'BP is great, 120/90, well done!'. I've had more than a few roll their eyes when I bring up WCS to encourage them to look at my real normal BP and I'm getting to the point nowadays I hesitate to remind them my normal BP is actually lower. I'm beginning to think '120/90 so why bother mentioning it's usually lower...'.

jimmyq profile image
jimmyq in reply toSunnie2day

My wife's BP is 90/60. Her doctor told her to have more salt. He said it was the first time in his life that he had told someone to do that. ;-D

Nanny72 profile image
Nanny72

My gp asks me to check my blood pressure twice a day for two days prior to appointments because of my white coat syndrome.

Of course if it is an emergency this cant be done.

Not bothered by needles but my 24 year old (congenital heart) grandaughterhas severe needle phobia.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

My husband has white coat syndrome made far worse by the fact that there's o parking within qa quarter of a mile of the cardio dept so by the time he's walked up the hill with his anxiety, his BP is through the roof. He's so bad that when he was expecting a phone call from the doctor one day, my shopping was delivered, walked right past him and spoke to him and an hour later, after the phone call he asked "When did that arrive?" His mind was so utterly taken up by the phone call he couldn't even register what was going on around him.

My BP goes up 10-20 points at doctors. No needles or anything. I make them take my BP appropriately and often 3 times. No yakking, appropriate arm level etc etc. Your post didn't make total sense without punctuation etc but I think you were saying reporting this issue was foolish. I'm sure it helped a lot of people.

Ianc2 profile image
Ianc2

If you have a look on the AfIb site you will find that electronic blood pressure machines tend to roll over and show EE repeatedly, or rapidly go off the clock as in 240/180 and your arm has gone quite blue..

Lisalosingweight profile image
Lisalosingweight

It is a thing a couple of years ago I had emergency open heart surgery. Now at home my BP around 120/65, if I go to the gp for anything it goes up to around 145/80 and if I go to hospital even if just a routine check up it goes up to 160's.

Unfortunately white coat syndrome has been known about for years - I have it and in my case, purely because of where I am and my anxiety level at the time. As some have eluded to, the reason for the BP usually will entail pain or some other treatment and therefore it is no wonder that BP is higher. Once it is over, who does not say - thank goodness for that now lets get a coffee?

Dockdog profile image
Dockdog

I am glad to say I don't have white coat syndrome but I have something anyone who visits their GP in Ashford may well have. It is called Junction 10 Syndrome, guaranteed to increase blood pressure dramatically as you try to negotiate it to the GP in the rush hour!!

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