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White coat hypertension: understanding the concept and examining the significance
Author(s) -
Tsai PeiShan
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of clinical nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1365-2702
pISSN - 0962-1067
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2702.2002.00660.x
Subject(s) - white coat hypertension , white coat , medicine , white (mutation) , phenomenon , white paper , clinical significance , intensive care medicine , coat , blood pressure , pathology , political science , ambulatory blood pressure , paleontology , biochemistry , chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , biology , gene , law
Summary • Because the concept of white coat hypertension is evolving, a variety of definitions appear in the literature. There has also been continuing debate as to whether white coat hypertension is a benign clinical condition or is associated with increased hypertensive complications. • This paper summarizes and evaluates the literature on white coat effect/hypertension, with a focus on the following aspects of the concepts: (1) alternative definitions, (2) prevalence and predictors, (3) prognostic significance, and (4) implications for clinical practice. • The evidence suggests that white coat hypertension is not a harmless phenomenon. It is frequently associated with increased target‐organ damage and often coexists with other cardiovascular risk factors. The extent of the presence of other risk factors may determine the risks associated with white coat hypertension. It is important for clinicians to understand the concept, learn to diagnose it properly, and develop strategies for evaluating risk levels so that patients receive the proper treatment.