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White coat hypertension: understanding the concept and examining the significance
1University of Florida College of Nursing, Gainesville, FL 32610-0187, USA. ptsai@nursing.ufl.edu
Insights
White coat hypertension, a condition with evolving definitions, is not benign. It is linked to target-organ damage and cardiovascular risks, necessitating proper diagnosis and risk assessment for effective patient treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hypertension Research
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- The definition of white coat hypertension (WCH) is not standardized, leading to ongoing debate about its clinical significance.
- The benign nature of WCH versus its association with hypertensive complications remains a key area of discussion in medical literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and evaluate the existing literature on white coat effect/hypertension.
- To focus on alternative definitions, prevalence, predictors, prognostic significance, and clinical practice implications of WCH.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of studies on white coat hypertension.
- Evaluation of evidence regarding WCH definitions, prevalence, risk factors, and patient outcomes.
Main Results:
- Evidence indicates that white coat hypertension is not a harmless condition.
- WCH is frequently associated with increased target-organ damage and coexists with other cardiovascular risk factors.
Conclusions:
- The presence of other cardiovascular risk factors may influence the risks associated with white coat hypertension.
- Clinicians must understand, diagnose, and assess risk levels for WCH patients to ensure appropriate management and treatment.
Abstract:
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.