Anxiety about white coat hypertension

Hi everyone,

I was wondering whether anyone out there has got white coat hypertension or generally BP that spikes in anxiety provoking situations. I have been battling this problem for over 3 years and I need help. My doctor will not prescribe beta blockers as I have asthma and I really need a medication that I know will prevent blood pressure spikes in stressful situations like going for an important interview etc. My BP comes down when I relax but in the real world you don't really have time to be relaxed all the time. Though my heart races a bit when I am anxious I am terrified what my Blood pressure measurements would be as I know the feeling when my doctor checks it or when I check it when I feel anxious or stressed. I start panicking when stressed not of a heart attack but what if my pressure is really very high , higher than the doctors and I stroke out. I constantly think this way when stressed and I don't know how to get out of this mess. Have seen psychologists etc not much help to date.

Hope someone out there could help.

[sumihari]

Hi Ryan,

Thanks for your long response.  I really appreciate the time you took to respond to my post. I still think beta- blockers can reduce one aspect of white coat hypertension ie reduces the heart rate, hence the blood pressure comes down. In fact a few years back while I had this phobia , I was on a blocker my pressure did drop at the doctors. But I had to stop within 2 weeks as I got symptoms which then made the doctors realise that I was a mild asthmatic.

Where did I get this phobia , the doctors of course. I was always told I had low blood pressure until once 3 years ago. Most people when under stress or when have a panic attack are bothered by a racing heart, not me . ( I admit I used to until I read a book by Dr Claire Weekes).

I have flashes of the high blood pressure readings with thoughts like " What if my pressure is going to be high or higher than before".  These thoughts bring on more panic and I hyperventilate but then now I quickly tell myself " Just try to calm down a bit" .
I know it works at the doctors so it works in real life. But I don't understand why I measure my pressure when I feel uptight - perhaps it is reassurance but then it is only reinforcing my mind that something  could be wrong when I feel uptight.

Thank you again.