So I have white coat syndrome. At the doctor's office my BP is 140/90 but at home it is always 120/80 - 110/60 depending on stress and time of day.
My doctor thinks that I must take BP medication because of the increased risk of stroke and heart attack for diabetics. I am taking a clonidine patch but I really don't want to be taking medicine. I infrequently experience dizziness/feintness when going from standing to sitting which indicates that my BP is low and it is quite unpleasant. I didn't run into this before taking the medicine.
When I looked up online how to deal with hypertension every talks about how to fix chronically high BP, not stress related highs. Since it is only high when I am upset, I am not sure if diet changes would be effective?
Mostly I'm wondering if anyone else has dealt with white coat and had any advice for 1) not freaking out every time BP is mentioned and 2) how to get my doctor to titrate me off of this medicine?
My doctor thinks that I must take BP medication because of the increased risk of stroke and heart attack for diabetics. I am taking a clonidine patch but I really don't want to be taking medicine. I infrequently experience dizziness/feintness when going from standing to sitting which indicates that my BP is low and it is quite unpleasant. I didn't run into this before taking the medicine.
When I looked up online how to deal with hypertension every talks about how to fix chronically high BP, not stress related highs. Since it is only high when I am upset, I am not sure if diet changes would be effective?
Mostly I'm wondering if anyone else has dealt with white coat and had any advice for 1) not freaking out every time BP is mentioned and 2) how to get my doctor to titrate me off of this medicine?