My home readings are usually around 128/82, which is pretty normal for me. But every time I go to the clinic for a checkup, the nurse gets readings like 145/90 or higher. I've had this happen at least 5-6 times now over the past year. Is this white coat syndrome or should I actually be concerned that something's wrong?
What you're describing sounds like white coat syndrome, where the clinical setting itself triggers anxiety that bumps up your numbers temporarily. The gap between your home readings and clinic readings is pretty typical for this - the difference is noticeable but not extreme. That said, if your home readings are consistently running 128/82, that's borderline elevated (normal is usually under 120/80), so it's worth mentioning to your doctor anyway. They might suggest tracking your BP at home over a few weeks to get a clearer picture, or they could recommend lifestyle tweaks like reducing sodium or adding more movement to your routine.
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