What is the Origin of White-Coat Hypertension?

The term originated in clinical practice, combining the physician's traditional "white coat" with "hypertension," or high blood pressure, to describe the context-dependent nature of the elevated readings. The concept highlights the psychological and environmental influence on physiological parameters.

What is the Mechanism of White-Coat Hypertension?

The mechanism involves a transient, acute surge in catecholamine release, primarily epinephrine and norepinephrine, in response to the stress of the clinical encounter. This sympathetic nervous system activation leads to peripheral vasoconstriction and an increase in heart rate and cardiac output. This hormonal and neural response acutely elevates blood pressure, temporarily overriding the body's normal homeostatic control and resulting in the artificially high measurement.

White-Coat Hypertension ∞ Area

White-Coat Hypertension

Meaning

White-Coat Hypertension is a clinical phenomenon characterized by consistently elevated blood pressure readings when measured in a clinical setting, such as a doctor’s office, but normal readings when measured at home or by ambulatory monitoring. This discrepancy is attributed to an anxiety-induced activation of the sympathetic nervous system triggered by the medical environment. While not true sustained hypertension, it warrants clinical attention due to its potential association with an increased long-term cardiovascular risk.