Causes of White Coat Hypertension

The Blood Pressure Association states that white coat hypertension occurs when people experience elevated blood pressures in a medical setting. When they take their blood pressure at home, the systolic, the top number, is10 mmHg lower than when taken in the examination room and the diastolic, the bottom number, is 5 mmHg lower. There are various causes of white coat hypertension.

Anxiety of Going to Doctor

• Anxiety is one of the primary causes of white coat hypertension in people. The body has a natural fight-or-flight response to stressful situations, so the added stress of going to the doctor's office causes people's blood pressure to rise.

Waiting for Examination

• The Blood Pressure Association states that waiting a long time at doctor's offices or emergency waiting rooms or in exam rooms causes white coat hypertension. When blood pressure is checked at the beginning of a visit and checked after a 15-minute wait, readings increase by five to 10 mmHg.

Early Indicator of Health Problems

• The U.S. Army Medical Department states that, in many cases, white coat hypertension is not a benign situation. It could be an early indicator that patients are in the early stages of hypertension.

Smoking

• The U.S. Army Medical Department indicates that people who smoke are at increased risks for suffering from white coat hypertension. The department says that taking a final drag before entering the doctor's office could lead to higher readings.

Caffeine

• The American Heart Association recommends that people avoid caffeinated foods and beverages before checking their blood pressure. Caffeine, a natural stimulant, increases the risk of getting white coat hypertension.

Exercise

• Exercising 30 minutes before checking blood pressure causes white coat hypertension because exercise elevates heart rate and blood flow.