Getting accurate blood pressure readings depends on doctors understanding patient anxiety and 'white coat syndrome'

KYW Newsradio Audio On-Demand

KYW Medical Editor Dr. Brian McDonough discusses "white coat syndrome," whereby a blood pressure reading is higher in a doctor's office due to patient stress or anxiety. He emphasizes the importance of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to capture more accurate readings at home. He also addresses "masked hypertension," whereby blood pressure is normal in the doctor's office but rises later due to short-acting medication. McDonough says patients should discuss medication schedules with their doctors to ensure consistent blood pressure control throughout the day. Image credit: Getty Images