Many people feel confused when their home blood pressure is always at a normal level, but every time they go to the hospital, it increases abnormally.
This phenomenon is not uncommon and has been recorded in medicine as "white-shirted hypertension", a form of temporary hypertension related to anxiety when going to the doctor.
According to Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director and Cardiologist at Gleneagles Hospital (Parel, India), white blood pressure is quite common.
Mr. Gupta said that feeling nervous and stressed when entering the hospital environment, waiting for test results or seeing a doctor can all cause blood pressure to rise in a short time.
Even rushing to the clinic, climbing stairs, lack of sleep, drinking coffee or talking while measuring blood pressure can distort the results.
Agreeing with this view, Dr. Parin Sangoi, an interventional cardiologist at Wockhardt Hospital (Mumbai Central), emphasized that understanding the blood pressure index correctly is very important.
Real high blood pressure, if not detected and controlled, can silently cause damage to the heart, kidneys, brain and eyes over time.
However, if white blood pressure is not distinguished, patients may need unnecessary treatment.
What mechanism causes hypertension in white shirts?
According to experts, the main cause comes from the body's stress response. When anxious, the body releases stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, causing the heart to beat faster and blood vessels to contract. The consequence is a sudden increase in blood pressure in a short time.
Dr. Rahul Gupta said that at home, in familiar and comfortable places, the body is often in a relaxed state, so blood pressure reflects the actual condition more accurately.
Although white blood pressure is not always dangerous, it should not be taken lightly, because some people may progress to real high blood pressure in the future.
Dr. Sangoi also pointed out that worries about test results, bad memories of previous treatments, or simply feelings of alienation to the hospital environment can all trigger stress reactions, leading to abnormally high blood pressure when measured at the clinic.
What should patients do to avoid misdiagnosis?
Doctors recommend monitoring blood pressure at home regularly with reliable digital meters.
Before measuring, you need to sit still for at least 5 minutes, keep a comfortable position and measure at the same time every day. Avoid drinking tea, coffee, smoking, exercising or mental stress for at least 30 minutes before measuring.
Recording your blood pressure readings at home and sharing them with your doctor will help assess your cardiovascular health more accurately.
In some cases, doctors may prescribe 24-hour mobile blood pressure monitoring to clearly distinguish between white shirt hypertension and real hypertension.
In addition, managing stress, maintaining regular physical activity, eating lightly, getting enough sleep and limiting caffeine also contributes to stabilizing blood pressure.
Experts emphasize that patients should not arbitrarily use medication when their blood pressure is temporarily high at the clinic.
Treatment needs to be based on comprehensive assessment and compliance with doctor's instructions to avoid unnecessary medications.
(The article is for reference only, not for professional advice. Always consult a doctor or medical expert if you have questions).
