Can white coat syndrome eventually lead to consistent high blood pressure?!

Can white coat syndrome eventually lead to consistent high blood pressure?

White coat syndrome can come from more than just the anxiety of sitting in a doctor's office. It may be that the person who takes the BP isn't letting the patient sit at rest for long enough. Or they may be taking it while the patient is sitting on an exam table with their feet dangling. Or the patient may have just had a cup of coffee or a cigarette before their appointment. The bottom line is that you need a history of true resting readings before diagnosing hypertension.

It's best to take BP first thing in the morning (before that first infusion of food or drugs of choice), after sitting in a chair for a few minutes with feet flat on the floor. The digital BP cuffs you can find in a local drug store are excellent, and a good one can usually be found for around $50. (Ask your pharmacist for a recommendation.) Try to find one that fits above the elbow and has an appropriate cuff size.