Is white coat hypertension a long-term problem? - Mayo Clinic
COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options
Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Appointments at Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Request Appointment White coat hypertension When blood pressure rises in a medical setting
Products and services My blood pressure is always higher in a medical setting than it is at home Why is this
Answer From Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D. You could have white coat hypertension. This condition occurs when blood pressure readings at a health care provider's office are higher than they are in other settings, such as at home. It's called white coat hypertension because people who measure blood pressure sometimes wear white coats. It was once thought that white coat hypertension was caused by the stress that appointments with a health care provider can create. If blood pressure returned to optimal after the appointment, the temporarily raised blood pressure wasn't considered a problem. However, some care providers think that white coat hypertension can be a problem. It might mean a risk of developing high blood pressure as a long-term condition. People with white coat hypertension might also have a higher risk of developing certain cardiovascular problems and damage to some organs, compared with people who have steady, optimal blood pressure. The same might be true for people who have masked hypertension. That means their blood pressure is OK at the care provider's office, but it can spike when measured in other settings. It's thought that even these temporary increases in blood pressure could develop into a long-term problem. If you have white coat hypertension, talk to your health care provider about monitoring your condition at home. Your provider might ask you to wear a device (ambulatory blood pressure monitor) to track your blood pressure for up to 24 hours. This measures blood pressure during activity and at rest. It can help determine if your high blood pressure needs treatment. With Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing
You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription
Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Isolated systolic hypertension: A health concern?Blood pressure medication: Still necessary if I lose weight? ShareTweet June 25, 2022 Show references Cohen J, et al. White coat and masked hypertension. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 7, 2022. Faria J, et al. Long-term risk of progression to sustained hypertension in white-coat hypertension with normal night-time blood pressure values. International Journal of Hypertension. 2020; doi:10.1155/2020/8817544. Unger T, et al. 2020 International Society of Hypertension global hypertension practice guidelines. Journal of Hypertension. 2020; doi:10.1097/HJH.0000000000002453. Nurendini G, et al. Current status of white coat hypertension: Where are we? Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease. 2020; doi:10.1177/1753944720931637. Mancia G, et al. White-coat hypertension: Pathophysiological and clinical aspects: Excellence Award for Hypertension Research 2020. Hypertension. 2021; doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.121.16489. See more Expert Answers Products and Services
Blood Pressure Monitors at Mayo Clinic StoreBook: Mayo Clinic 5 Steps to Controlling High Blood PressureThe Mayo Clinic Diet ExperienceMayo Clinic Healthy Living Program See also
Medication-free hypertension controlAfter a flood, are food and medicines safe to use?Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure?Alpha blockersAmputation and diabetesAngiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitorsAngiotensin II receptor blockersAnxiety: A cause of high blood pressure?Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosisArtificial sweeteners: Any effect on blood sugar?AskMayoMom Pediatric UrologyBeta blockersBeta blockers: Do they cause weight gain?Beta blockers: How do they affect exercise?Birth control pill FAQBlood glucose metersBlood glucose monitorsBlood pressure: Can it be higher in one arm?Blood pressure chartBlood pressure cuff: Does size matter?Blood pressure: Does it have a daily pattern?Blood pressure: Is it affected by cold weather?Blood pressure medication: Still necessary if I lose weight?Blood pressure medications: Can they raise my triglycerides?Blood pressure readings: Why higher at home?Blood pressure testBlood pressure tip: Get more potassiumBlood pressure tip: Get off the couchBlood pressure tip: Know alcohol limitsBlood pressure tip: Stress out no moreBlood pressure tip: Watch the caffeineBlood pressure tip: Watch your weightBlood sugar levels can fluctuate for many reasonsBlood sugar testing: Why, when and howBone and joint problems associated with diabetesHow kidneys workBump on the head: When is it a serious head injury?Caffeine and hypertensionCalcium channel blockersCalcium supplements: Do they interfere with blood pressure drugs?Can whole-grain foods lower blood pressure?Central-acting agentsChoosing blood pressure medicationsChronic daily headachesChronic kidney diseaseCoarctation of the aortaCOVID-19: Who's at higher risk of serious symptoms?Cushing syndromeDASH dietDASH dietDASH diet: Recommended servingsDASH diet: Shopping and cooking tipsDiabetesDiabetes and dental careDiabetes and depression: Coping with the two conditionsDiabetes and exercise: When to monitor your blood sugarDiabetes and fasting: Can I fast during Ramadan?Diabetes and foot careDiabetes and Heat10 ways to avoid diabetes complicationsDiabetes diet: Should I avoid sweet fruits?Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating planDiabetes foods: Can I substitute honey for sugar?Diabetes and liverDiabetes management: How lifestyle, daily routine affect blood sugarDiabetes: Eating outDiabetes nutrition: SweetsDiabetes symptomsDiabetes treatment: Can cinnamon lower blood sugar?Using insulinDiureticsDiuretics: A cause of low potassium?Diuretics: Cause of gout?DizzinessDo infrared saunas have any health benefits?Do you know your blood pressure?Drug addiction (substance use disorder)High blood pressure and exerciseFibromuscular dysplasiaFree blood pressure machines: Are they accurate?Home blood pressure monitoringGlomerulonephritisGlycemic index: A helpful tool for diabetes?Guillain-Barre syndromeHeadaches 101: Know your typeHeadaches and hormonesHeadaches: Treatment depends on your diagnosis and symptomsHerbal supplements and heart drugsHigh blood pressure (hypertension)High blood pressure and cold remedies: Which are safe?High blood pressure and sexHigh blood pressure: Can you prevent it?High blood pressure dangersHow opioid addiction occursHow to tell if a loved one is abusing opioidsHunter syndromeWhat is hypertension? A Mayo Clinic expert explains.Hypertension FAQsHypertensive crisis: What are the symptoms?HypothermiaIgA nephropathy (Berger's disease)Insulin and weight gainIntracranial hematomaIsolated systolic hypertension: A health concern?What is kidney disease? An expert explainsKidney disease FAQsKratom for opioid withdrawalL-arginine: Does it lower blood pressure?Late-night eating: OK if you have diabetes?Lead poisoningLow-phosphorus diet: Helpful for kidney disease?Medications and supplements that can raise your blood pressureMenopause and high blood pressure: What's the connection?Molar pregnancyMRI: Is gadolinium safe for people with kidney problems?New Test for PreeclampsiaNighttime headaches: ReliefNosebleedsObstructive sleep apneaObstructive Sleep ApneaPain ManagementPheochromocytomaPicnic Problems: High SodiumPituitary tumorsPolycystic kidney diseasePolypill: Does it treat heart disease?PorphyriaPostpartum preeclampsiaPreeclampsiaPrescription drug abusePrimary aldosteronismPulse pressure: An indicator of heart health?Mayo Clinic Minute: Rattlesnakes, scorpions and other desert dangersReactive hypoglycemia: What can I do?Reading food labelsRenal diet for vegetariansResperate: Can it help reduce blood pressure?Sample DASH menusScorpion stingSecondary hypertensionSerotonin syndromeSleep deprivation: A cause of high blood pressure?Sleep tipsVegetable recipesBlood sugar testingSnoringSnoring solution: Sleep on your sideSpider bitesStress and headaches: Stop the cycleStress and high blood pressureSymptom CheckerTakayasu's arteritisTapering off opioids: When and howTetanusTetanus shots: Is it risky to receive 'extra' boosters?The dawn phenomenon: What can you do?Infographic: Transplant for Polycystic Kidney DiseaseVasodilatorsVegetarian diet: Can it help me control my diabetes?Vesicoureteral refluxVideo: Heart and circulatory systemHow diabetes affects your blood sugarHow to measure blood pressure using a manual monitorHow to measure blood pressure using an automatic monitorObstructive sleep apnea: What happens?What is blood pressure?Can having vitamin D deficiency cause high blood pressure?What are opioids and why are they dangerous?What's your high blood pressure risk?Wrist blood pressure monitors: Are they accurate?Effectively managing chronic kidney diseaseShow more related content Advertisement
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book Other Topics in Patient Care & Health Info
Diseases & Conditions A-Z Symptoms A-Z Tests & Procedures A-Z Drugs & Supplements A-Z Health Books Healthy Living Program Mayo Clinic Health Letter Mayo Clinic Voice Apps . FAQ-20057792 Home White coat hypertension When blood pressure rises in a medical setting Mayo Clinic Footer
Legal Conditions and Terms
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Notice of Nondiscrimination Manage Cookies Advertising
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.Advertising and sponsorship policyAdvertising and sponsorship opportunities Reprint Permissions
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.