White-coat (or office) hypertension refers to blood pressure that
rises above its usual level when it is measured in a clinic setting, such as a
doctor's office, where a nurse or doctor may be wearing a white lab coat.
White-coat hypertension is more common in people who have high
blood pressure than it is in people who have normal blood pressure. It tends to
decrease with repeat measurements.
Last Revised:
June 6, 2011
Author:
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Donald Sproule, MD, CM, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine & Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology