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What Causes Elevation In BP Readings At Doctors Office?
Question: I use a wrist BP monitor and my BP is great! I'm on 10mg of zestril, I did blood work last year and numbers were high so they put me on zocor, niacin and I'm also on 40mg of celexa I take once daily. Why is my BP so elevated at the doctors office. I'm 5'7 285 and I compete in powerlifting no heart problems and no family history.
Brief Answer:
Your symptoms seem to be related to white coat syndrome
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for your question on HCM! I understand your concern.
Your symptoms seem to be related to "White coat syndrome", which is an episodic hypertension only when going to the doctor. This is related to anxiety and a kind of fear during when consulting with the doctor.
It is very common, up to 40% of persons.
In this condition no treatment is required. In many studies it has been proven that this type of episodic hypertension doesn't cause a higher risk for cardiac disease compared to the normal persons.
So I would recommend you to perform a 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, a routine blood test, renal and liver function tests, thyroid hormone levels, electrolytes, to exclude other possible causes of high blood pressure.
I would also advise you to monitor your blood pressure several times during the day ,modify your diet : low salt intake, avoid sugar and fatty food, avoid caffeine. Physical activity would also be very helpful in reducing your weight.
If your blood pressure remains all the time in normal values, except when going to the doctor, I would recommend you to continue with the same therapy. No changes are needed in a white coat syndrome.
Hope to have been helpful!
Greetings! Dr. Iliri
Your symptoms seem to be related to white coat syndrome
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for your question on HCM! I understand your concern.
Your symptoms seem to be related to "White coat syndrome", which is an episodic hypertension only when going to the doctor. This is related to anxiety and a kind of fear during when consulting with the doctor.
It is very common, up to 40% of persons.
In this condition no treatment is required. In many studies it has been proven that this type of episodic hypertension doesn't cause a higher risk for cardiac disease compared to the normal persons.
So I would recommend you to perform a 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, a routine blood test, renal and liver function tests, thyroid hormone levels, electrolytes, to exclude other possible causes of high blood pressure.
I would also advise you to monitor your blood pressure several times during the day ,modify your diet : low salt intake, avoid sugar and fatty food, avoid caffeine. Physical activity would also be very helpful in reducing your weight.
If your blood pressure remains all the time in normal values, except when going to the doctor, I would recommend you to continue with the same therapy. No changes are needed in a white coat syndrome.
Hope to have been helpful!
Greetings! Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much. The blood work was good on my last visit and he wasn't concrete about my weight since I am pretty active, I've monitored my BP twice for 24 hours after a high reading. Thanks for letting me know that I am pretty proactive with my health.
Brief Answer:
Keep going on your right healthy way!
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I am glad to confirm that you are just on the right way of dealing with your health protection from obvious cardio-vascular risk factors.
Wish you a nice weekend! Dr. Iliri
Keep going on your right healthy way!
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I am glad to confirm that you are just on the right way of dealing with your health protection from obvious cardio-vascular risk factors.
Wish you a nice weekend! Dr. Iliri
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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