White coat hypertension is characterized by which pattern?

Study for the History and Physical (Handamp;P) Exam 1. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

White coat hypertension is characterized by which pattern?

Explanation:
White coat hypertension happens when blood pressure is elevated in the clinic due to anxiety or stress, but remains normal outside the office. So the pattern you’d expect is low or normal blood pressure at home (or in daily life) with elevated readings collected in the office. In numbers, office measurements may cross the hypertension threshold (around or above 140/90 mmHg) while home measurements stay below about 135/85 mmHg. This distinction matters because relying only on office readings can misclassify someone as hypertensive; confirming with home or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring helps avoid overcalling true hypertension.

White coat hypertension happens when blood pressure is elevated in the clinic due to anxiety or stress, but remains normal outside the office. So the pattern you’d expect is low or normal blood pressure at home (or in daily life) with elevated readings collected in the office. In numbers, office measurements may cross the hypertension threshold (around or above 140/90 mmHg) while home measurements stay below about 135/85 mmHg. This distinction matters because relying only on office readings can misclassify someone as hypertensive; confirming with home or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring helps avoid overcalling true hypertension.

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