White coat hypertension is a condition where a patient’s blood pressure readings are higher than normal when measured in a medical setting, such as a doctor’s office, but are normal when measured outside of this environment. This phenomenon occurs due to the anxiety or stress some individuals experience during a medical visit, which can temporarily elevate blood pressure.
Understanding and diagnosing white coat hypertension is crucial, as it can lead to misinterpretation of a patient’s true blood pressure levels. Accurate diagnosis often requires additional monitoring, such as ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), to differentiate between white coat hypertension and true hypertension. Proper identification of this condition helps prevent unnecessary treatment and ensures that patients receive the most appropriate care for their actual blood pressure levels.