BP support for White Coat Syndrome - in doctor office and at home

[bnsmith]

Hello, I am new to HealthUnlocked. I have white coat syndrome when I am at doctor's office and most recently, at home too. I monitor my BP at home and am trying to overcome the white coat spike I have when I take my BP at home. Posts I have read here have been most helpful and for that I am thankful. I currently take 10 mg Lisinopril once a day and have also been taking Valerian root with hops to help me with anxiety.

I spike just thinking about taking my BP but then readings lower during 10 minutes following with the end BP of about 130/72 or lower.

Reading experiences that others have with this is helpful.

I will continue to check in here for further support.

Barbara

[Madlegs1]

May I suggest that you take your BP at home, test it 5 times at 5 minutes intervals. Do this as many times during the day as possible. A weekend might be best if you are working in an office.

Ignore the first 2 readings, and average out the last 3. That should eliminate any White coat faldeda. 😝👍😎

When you have done this routine over about a month, I guarentee the white coat will be but a memory.

Go on-- prove me wrong!😝

[bnsmith in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks so much! I will surely give it a try! I just need to break through the barrier of letting a mere taking of BP at home cause me anxiety. Just crazy! I will keep all posted.

Barbara

[peter999999999 in reply to bnsmith]

easy,dont take it,if you have to do it and got anxiety it will make it worse,you done it and got 130/72 so forget it now for a few months,thats low enough,daft advice to keep doing it all the time, its not going to go magically wrong up or down , you will make yourself go crackers and get addicted to doing it,forget it and enjoy life,

[Madlegs1]

Indeed. I'm retired, so time not too much of an issue.

Good to relax for a few minutes in the day.💚

[Blueyedgal76]

Hi there I have to say I can identify—My blood pressure is up at least 30 points in the office, and I think the whole reason I went on blood pressure medication was because of a white cord experience and poor follow through. Now I’m on medication and it’s even higher, I get much lower readings at home and I am now going for an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring test. I’m not even aware of being anxious, I think once you’ve had a super high reading, there is an element of PTSD and panic that is under recognized.

I am working with a therapist on calming my body before any medical appointments, she is suggesting some facial acupressure points that I can rub before hand, I’m not sure if it will work but I am giving it a go. Wishing you well