White Coat Hypertension: Is it Really High Blood Pressure?

Is it really high blood pressure or is it the white coat? White coat hypertension is a term that refers to high blood pressure (HBP) when you visit your doctor or other health care provider.  It is normal during other times.  Are you really hypertensive if this is the case?  Do you really need the DASH diet and medication?

High blood pressure is defined as three consecutive blood pressure readings at or above 140/90, or one reading above 160/100.  These readings are most commonly obtained when you visit your doctor which can be from one time to several times a year.  Needless to say the preparation and anxiety that go with doctor's appointments is enough to make any one's blood pressure go up normally! Getting ready and getting there can surely create this effect, but is this enough to make a diagnosis of high blood pressure when your blood pressure checks weekly or daily are normal?

HBP monitoring by patients outside the doctor's office may prove that white coat hypertension is what it is.  Normal readings outside the health setting in your everyday environment are more accurate and real. By tracking your own blood pressure at home you may find that your blood pressure is normal most of the time.  You can also see what makes it abnormal, too, and avoid or decrease these things. If it stays consistently high without white coats, treatment with diet and medicine may be indicated.

Best health!

High Blood Pressure Home Remedies

Treating hypertension with lifestyle changes that promte good habits is key to staying 120/80, the normal blood pressure reading. Of course, maintainimg healthy weight for your height, eating the right foods, regular exercise, limited alcohol intake, avoidance of cigarettes and severe stress help. If these things fail to keep you 120/80 then you will need blood pressure medication prescribed by your primary care physician or cardiologist.

Many regimens start with a diuretic ("water pill") either alone or combined with any other medication groups like beta blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and more. Many of these have lots of side effects as well as create new medical problems (e.g. diuretics can cause loss of potasssium resulting in cramping, heart rhythm abnormalities; beta blockers can cause bradycardia, exacerbate asthma, COPD). When used in combination this can worsen. Home remedies may offer healthier and safer treatment.

Some high blood pressure home treatments include:
- honey and onion juice in equal amounts equal to 2 teaspoons daily
- garlic clove daily
- foods: fruits esp banannas, oranges, apples, watermelon. papaya; fish (less
red meat; vegetables especially carrots, spinach; whole grains; low fat
- apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons daily
- aloe vera
- tea (black, green, hibiscus)
- coconut water ("noelani")

Many of these remedies also help other maladies, but more importantly they are natural, wholesome and inexpensive requiring no prescription. Remember to also halt the salt!

Best health!

DASH Diet for High Blood Pressure

The link below is the best information I have seen on DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). It is from the NIH National Heart Lung Blood Institute. There is more to managing hypertension with diet than avoiding salt. Diet and salt restriction (2400 mg/ day about 1 tsp.) is the initial treatment step along with exercise. Medication may be required if blood pressure remains high after a 6-8 week trial with diet and healthy lifestyle changes.

Click link for DASH diet.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf