Question by Ugly Girl: How can I get over “white coat hypertension?” My blood pressure always hikes up when I go to the doctor.
Every time I go they want to put me on blood pressure medication, which I always refuse because my blood pressure is ONLY high at the doctor’s. I hate doctors and the sight of one makes my blood pressure take a jump. It is perfectly normal the rest of the time; I know this because I went out and bought an electronic monitor to check it at home. It’s always normal.

Any tricks to keep it from jumping at the doctor’s office? I’m really sick of having this conversation every time I go.

Best answer:

Answer by Lynnie
For the white coat syndrome what I would do is find a way of proving that when you monitor yourself there is not a problem like if you can get a printout or take pictures.
I would also think about this – if you are that anxious to go to the doctor or your bloodpressure is only fine if you are home relaxing and maybe if your blood pressure does shoot up or you are anxious just by walking around or going to the doctor you should learn some bio feed back technicques or relaxation techniques to reduce that.

Maybe anxiety is your problem and not blood pressure at all is I guess what I’m trying to say.

I would also get your monitor calibrated against your doctors in case it is not set correctly.

I am just going to say this – the last time I went to the doctor 2 days ago I did a technique called square breathing while I was waiting for the doctor and my BP which had been high was almost normal. It is a breathing technique which you can google to see how it is done.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!