How Can I Overcome White Coat Syndrome?

Do you use any of the relaxation techniques before measuring your blood pressure at the doctor's office (e.g. take a slow, deep breath, recite a poem or verse in your mind, visualize your calm ("find your happy place"))?

Do you meditate?

Have you tried an exercise that involves counting things with your senses (for example, you need to list three things you can see in the room, then two things you can hear and one you can touch)?

Have you asked your doctor or nurse to give you some time to calm down before measuring your blood pressure?

Have you ever asked to move to a quiet room away from the crowd to measure your blood pressure?

Do you practice starting a conversation while measuring your blood pressure to distract your thoughts and get more accurate readings?

If this suits you better, do you sit quietly without talking while measuring your blood pressure?

Based on your answers, there are several other ways to overcome white coat syndrome. Knowing that your blood pressure could rise in your doctor's office, you should try to relax. You can even ask your doctor or nurse to wait a while to measure your blood pressure so that you have time to calm down. You can try some of the relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises or meditation. You can even recite a poem that is dear to you in your mind. If you are additionally disturbed by the crowds in the triage area of the doctor's office, you can ask to move to a quiet room.

Based on your answers, you know a lot about how to overcome white coat syndrome. White coat syndrome is a disorder in which a person develops a temporary increase in blood pressure in a doctor's office. It is perfectly normal to feel mild anxiety when visiting a doctor, but you should keep in mind that it can affect your blood pressure readings. You should try to find a technique that will help you calm down and relieve stress. For example, you can try to take a deep breath and then exhale slowly. You can also start a conversation while measuring your blood pressure to distract your thoughts.