‘White coat syndrome’ is real, proves blood pressure study

 White coat syndrome is real, confirms a new study, showing blood pressure measurements taken by a doctor are less accurate than those taken at home.

The research confirms theories that readings taken in a doctor’s surgery bear little relation to the true state of heart health.

Experts have long surmised that anxiety in medical settings could cause a spike in blood pressure.

The new study, published in the New England Journal for Medicine, tracked 63,000 patients for 10 years, and tested their blood pressure at a medical clinic, before giving patients devices to take home and check levels for the next 24 hours.

The research found that the measurements taken at home were a far better predictor of mortality rates from heart disease than the reading from the clinic.

Around 10.4 per cent of cases experienced a spike in blood pressure in front of their GP – yet readings were normal at home.